If there were medals for the overall level of public interest in the Olympic games, Paris 2024 would be a strong contender for the podium.
Why it matters: Combined TV and streaming viewership across live and recorded highlights from the roughly 17 days of competition have exceeded NBC's expectations at a time when traditional broadcasts continue to be upended by the dynamics of digital media.
The closing of the Paris Games Sunday concluded with the handover of the Olympic flag to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, officially kicking off the countdown to the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Why it matters: Organizers of the L.A. Games are taking a cue from Paris on striving for sustainability, vowing the tournament will be a "no build" and "car-free" feat.
The White House on Monday said U.S. intelligence indicates it is increasingly likely Iran will attack Israel this week, matching the latest Israeli intelligence assessment.
Why it matters: The new intelligence suggests an attack could come before the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal talks planned for Thursday, which could put the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas at risk.
The Paris Olympic Games wowed audiences around the world, showcasing unforgettable feats of athleticism and examples of sportsmanship before drawing to a close Sunday.
The big picture: The 2024 Games delivered viral moments, from Simone Biles' comeback to Tom Cruise's unexpected stunt during the closing ceremony.
French IT giant Atos has spent the last three years preparing the computer systems needed to handle accreditation, schedule volunteers and distribute results for this year's Olympics.
Between the lines: Last week, in the middle of the Paris Games, Axios was able to peek inside the Technology Operations Center where Atos brings all the technology vendors together to jointly address issues as they crop up.
Latino voters in Arizona are expected to play an outsized role in deciding the country's next president.
Why it matters: Of the six battleground states that could swing the election, Arizona has the largest share of Latino eligible voters, about a quarter of that state's voters.
FRESNO, Calif. — Two Central California races for U.S. House seats are suddenly getting increased attention from the national parties because they could help determine control of the chamber — and represent hot new battlegrouands for Latino voters.
Why it matters: The fights for the seats held by Republican Reps. David Valadao and John Duarte reflect Democrats' push to take over two majority-Latino districts that have never been represented by anyone of Mexican or Central American descent.
A growing partisan split between Latino men and women is being driven partly by gaps in education, experts tell Axios.
Why it matters: Latinos overall have made broad gains in obtaining college degrees during the past two decades, but women have significantly surpassed men, according to the UCLA Latino Data Hub.
Early polls suggest Vice President Kamala Harris has opened up a lead over former President Trump among Latino voters. But so far, she hasn't hit the level of support Democrats historically have needed to win the White House.
Why it matters: An Axios review of exit polls going back 50 years finds that when Democratic presidential candidates get less than about 64% of the Latino vote, they typically lose.
The Israeli intelligence community's updated assessment is that Iran is poised to attack Israel directly in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas' political leader in Tehran and is likely to do it within days, two sources with direct knowledge of the issue told Axios.
Why it matters: The new intelligence assessment indicates an attack could come before the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal talks planned for Thursday, potentially jeopardizing negotiations at what Israeli officials have said is a "now-or-never" moment for a potential deal between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas announced on Sunday that it rejects the invitation by the U.S., Qatar and Egypt for a final round of negotiations over the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal planned for Thursday.
Why it matters: Hamas' announcement is a significant setback for the Biden administration's efforts to reach a hostage and ceasefire deal and prevent the Gaza conflict from escalating into a regional war.
This year, more than 1,200 current, former and incoming NCAA athletes are competing in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games — and more than 840 are chasing gold for a country outside the United States.
Why it matters: College sports have been a key pipeline for Team USA talent throughout the decades of the Olympics — but American universities and their facilities have also evolved as training grounds for international competitors.
The U.S. women's basketball team erased a 10-point third quarter deficit to beat France 67-66 and claim their eighth straight Olympic gold medal at Paris' Bercy Arena on Sunday.
Why it matters: Arguably the most dominant team in Olympic sports, Team USA hasn't lost a single contest at the Games since 1992.
With all the noise made about Imane Khelif at the Paris Olympics, it's easy to imagine that gender controversy is a new thing. But, as author Michael Waters points out, battles over gender are as old as the modern Olympics themselves.
"You can actually draw a line from what we're seeing today all the way back to the early 20th century," says Waters, whose new book "The Other Olympians" explores some of the earliest gender bending and gender policing at the games.
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