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This Year's Most-Googled Athlete Was a Controversial Olympian
2024 marked a major year for sporting events around the world, from soccer tournaments like the Copa América and UEFA European Championship to the highly anticipated Summer Olympics in Paris. As for which athlete piqued the most people's interest this year, Google has named a clear winner.
The search giant just released its Year in Search report for this year breaking down the most-searched terms across a variety of fields like sports, entertainment, politics, and more. Algerian boxer Imane Khelif was the most-Googled athlete this year following a global firestorm surrounding her gender identity during the Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Though the pugilist emerged with a gold medal, it didn't come without a deluge of criticism from observers around the world.

Khelif is followed by another boxer with widespread recognition: Former heavyweight world champ Mike Tyson. Last month, Tyson faced off against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul—who came in at number five on the list—in a highly anticipated match pitting two generations of fighters against each other.
Related: Olympic Boxer at Center of Gender Controversy Speaks Out
Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old soccer prodigy out of Spain, landed at number three; he was followed by Simone Biles, the most-decorated U.S. gymnast in history. Rounding out the pack is Spanish soccer player Nico Williams, Indian cricket player Hardik Pandya, world number-one golfer Scottie Scheffler, Indian cricketer Shashank Singh, and Spanish soccer star Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, known widely as Rodri.
Related: Olympic Boxer Apologizes to Opponent After Gender Controversy
Time will tell what success these athletes will have on the world stage in 2025 and beyond.
- Imane Khelif
- Mike Tyson
- Lamine Yamal
- Simone Biles
- Jake Paul
- Nico Williams
- Hardik Pandya
- Scottie Scheffler
- Shashank Singh
- Rodri