Year-Ender 2024: A Look Back At Some Of The Top Sporting Photos

From the Paris Olympics to the Super Bowl. From Simone Biles to Shohei Ohtani. And, of course, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. The Year 2024 had some of the best sporting images documented by Associated Press. Yet the year’s top images are not only about the most newsworthy results or the most famous athletes. The image of Bulgarian gymnast Stiliana Nikolova performing at the Paris Games is a work of art. Sometimes the athlete hardly needs to be seen at all. Like with Kimberley Woods of Britain covered by a huge splash of water while competing in a kayak event at the Paris Games — identifiable only by the Union Jack on one of her paddles. Check out the best images from this year in the world of sports

Simone Biles, of the United States, celebrates after winning the gold medal at the medal ceremony during the women’s artistic gymnastics individual vault finals at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Paris, France.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani (17) of Japan, celebrates after hitting a double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami.

United States’ Coco Gauff kisses the trophy after defeating China’s Qinwen Zheng in their women’s singles final match of the WTA finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.

Simone Biles, of the United States, poses with her medals after the women’s artistic gymnastics individual apparatus finals Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France.

Cole Hocker, of the United States, top, celebrates after setting a new Olympic record winning the men’s 1,500-meter final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrates with wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. after Hardman scored the game-winning touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in overtime during the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas.

United States’ Stephen Curry (4) celebrates after beating France to win the gold medal during a men’s gold medal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France.

Georgia’s goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili celebrates with fans after a Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal waves to the crowd during a tribute after playing his last match as a professional in the Davis Cup quarterfinals at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain, early Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024.

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) reacts after scoring against the Minnesota Lynx during the third quarter of Game 5 of the WNBA basketball final series, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in New York.

Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze celebrates after scoring on a penalty kick during a Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

Cole Hocker, of the United States, celebrates after winning the men’s 1500-meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France.

United States’ Mikaela Shiffrin celebrates after winning a women’s World Cup slalom skiing event in Are, Sweden, Sunday, March 10, 2024.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) celebrates with Patrick Mahomes (15) after scoring the game winning touchdown in overtime as San Francisco 49ers place kicker Jake Moody (4) walks off the field during the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas.

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu holds up the championship trophy after the Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA basketball final series, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in New York.

Noah Lyles, of the United States, in lane seven, wins the men’s 100-meter final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) hurdles over Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Philadelphia.

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark looks on during a news conference announcing the AP NCAA Women’s Coach and Player of the Year Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Cleveland.

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad raises the NHL hockey Stanley Cup trophy after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the Final, Monday, June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Flaorida.

Noah Lyles, of the United States, celebrates after winning the men’s 100-meter final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France.

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) blocks a shot by Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Matt Dumba (24) during the second period of Game 2 of the first-round of an NHL Stanley Cup Playoff series, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Sunrise, Florida.

New York Mets’ Pete Alonso reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee.

United States’ Alex Sedrick reacts after scoring the winning try during the women’s bronze medal Rugby Sevens match between the United States and Australia at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, France, Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson (5) fights for a loose ball with Iowa guard Sydney Affolter (3) and guard Kate Martin (20) during the second half of the Final Four college basketball championship game in the women’s NCAA Tournament, Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Cleveland.

Scottie Scheffler walks to the tee on the 11th hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Valhalla Golf Club, Friday, May 17, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts during the fourth quarter against LSU during the NCAA tournament, Monday, April 1, 2024, in Albany, New York.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) catches a 52-yard touchdown pass in the end zone as time expires to give the Commanders an 18-15 win over the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Landover, Md.

Sifan Hassan, of the Netherlands, celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the gold medal at the end of the women’s marathon competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman celebrates as New York Yankees relief pitcher Nestor Cortes watches after hitting a walk-off grand slam during the 10th inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles.