A lot of hype was built around Olivia Reeves while she was preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics. In turn, she was recognized as the greatest female talent in USA weightlifting, and she also had high ambitions for the competition. Well, she fulfilled and exceeded expectations, having won the first weightlifting Olympic gold medal for the US in the last 24 years. Olivia also walked away with a new Snatch Olympic Record
Olivia Reeves’ Full 2024 Paris Olympics performance
If everything went her way, Olivia Reeves would have also set new Clean & Jerk and Total Olympic Records. However, her performance will go down in history either way, seeing that she has achieved what seemed impossible for many years.
Snatch
The snatch event is Olivia Reeves’ greatest asset, which was once again put on full display at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She began by lifting 110 kilograms (242.5 pounds) with the sole purpose of putting a valid lift on the board, giving herself the freedom to advance to heavier weights.
So, for her second attempt, Olivia Reeves loaded 114 kilograms (251.3 pounds) on the bar, aiming to beat her rival Angie Palacios by 1-kilogram (2.2 pounds).
However, Angie then used her third attempt to snatch 116 kilograms (255.7 bounds) and set a new Olympic record. Because of this, Olivia Reeves found herself in a very peculiar position, having to further advance the record in order to gain a lead. Well, she had the courage to attempt a 117-kilogram (257.9-pound) snatch, and it paid off greatly. She set a new Olympic Record and took the lead in her weight class.
- 110 kilograms (242.5 pounds)
- 114 kilograms (251.3 pounds)
- 117 kilograms (257.9 pounds) — U71KG Olympic Record
Clean & Jerk
Olivia Reeves’ first Clean & Jerk of 140 kilograms (308.6 pounds) put her in a favorable position to win the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She still decided to push further, lifting 145 kilograms (319.7 pounds) on her next attempt.
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Feeling the momentum, Olivia Reeves decided to make another brave attempt at breaking the Clean & Jerk Olympic Record as well. To do so, she loaded 150 kilograms (330.7 pounds) on the barbell and gave it her all. Unfortunately, she was not successful but has made it clear that many more records will fall in the future.
- 140 kilograms (308.6 pounds)
- 145 kilograms (319.7 pounds)
- Unsuccessful — 150 kilograms (330.7 pounds)
Total — 262 kilograms (577.6 pounds)
2024 Paris Olympics — U71KG Weightlifting Podium
- Olivia Reeves (USA): 262-kg (577.6-lb) — First US Weightlifting Olympic Gold Medalist in Last 24 Years
- Mari Sanchez (COL): 257-kg (566.6-lb)
- Angie Palacios (ECU): 256-kg (564.4-lb)
*Tara Nott (Cunningham) was the last US weightlifter to win an Olympic gold medal, achieving the feat at the 2000 Olympic Games.
Apart from the Olympic Gold Medal, Olivia Reeves’ standout achievements are winning the 2024 IWF World Cup and the 2023 Pan American Games. However, she is just 21-years-old currently, meaning that her resume will only continue to get better with every new appearance that she makes. She has brought glory to the USA and will hopefully continue to do so in the future as well.