The Women To Cheer On At The Olympics
From Simone Biles to Sky Brown and Sha'Carri Richardson, these are some of the most inspiring women to support and cheer on at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games
We're only a couple days into the Paris 2024 Olympics, yet this year's Games have already proven to be historic in more ways than one. As the French capital welcomes the world to spectate the best of the sporting sphere (the first time in 100 years), the opening ceremony marked the first time in the history of the Olympic Summer Games it was held outside a stadium. The largest ever refugee team will compete this year, competitive break dancing makes its Olympic debut and the French have promised that this will be the greenest Olympics ever.
In addition, we'll be witnessing an unprecedented amount of female athletes taking part in the games. The majority (28 out of 32 ) of sports have reached full gender equality and the full programme will see a total of 152 women's events, just five short of the men's. There has never been a more fitting time to get behind the women competing at an Olympic Games.
From Simone Biles already achieving a never-been-done-before move on the gymnastics vault to Eva Okaro being the first ever Black women to represent Team GB in the swimming pool and ELLE UK's digital cover star Keely Hodgkinson striving for gold after scoring three successive silver medals at previous major global championships, summer 2024 is shaping up to be the summer of women's sports.
We've put together a list of some of the most skilled and inspiring female athletes for you to know...
Keely Hodgkinson, Middle Distance Runner
ELLE UK’s July digital cover star Keely Hodgkinson is one of Team GB’s leading gold medal hopefuls at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The middle-distance runner achieved silver in the Tokyo Games for the 800m, marking her breakthrough year, where she also became the youngest British champion at the European Athletics Indoor Championships. Keen on popularising the sport, Hodgkinson is passionate about getting young girls into athletics. ‘We tend to have a big dropout rate, and in the teenage years it’s hard. Athletics is hard. But there can also be so much enjoyment in it,’ she says.
When are where to watch Keely: BBC IPlayer on August 2-5.
Eva Ofaro, Swimmer
Not only is she this year’s youngest member of the Team GB swimming team, Eva Okaro is also the first black woman to represent the team at an Olympic Games. The swimmer began breaking British records at just 14 years old and later won bronze during the European Junior Championships in 2021, which earned her a place at the Aquatics GB Podium Potential Programme in 2022. Speaking of 2024 Games to Team GB, Okaro stated that she hopes to enjoy and how she hopes to inspire others. 'I think it’s an honour and privilege to be in this position and to inspire other young black swimmers to know they can make it all the way,' she says.
When are where to watch Eva: BBC IPlayer on August 3.
Simone Biles, Gymnast
One of the most skilled athletes there is, Simone Biles forever changed the world of gymnastics in the 2016 Olympics when she won four gold medals in Rio de Janeiro, following her impressive routines. Over the years Biles has effortlessly pulled off never-been-done-before moves, and in true style to the gymnast, she’s done it once again, only three days into the Paris Olympics. Currently the most decorated gymnast in history, the athlete’s global fanbase adore her for her determination and perseverance both to the sport and to her own mental health.
When and where to watch Simone: On BBC IPlayer between July 28 to August 5.
Sky Brown, Skateboarder
At the age of 16, Sky Brown has already made her mark in the sporting world. She competed in the Vans US Open in 2018 at just eight years old, and eventually went on to win a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 2021, despite facing a near death experience while training in 2020. All eyes are on the teenager as she heads into her second Olympic Games and goes for gold.
When and where to watch Sky: BBC IPlayer on August 6
Sha'Carri Richardson, Sprinter
Sha’Carri first rose to prominence in 2019 when she broke two U20 world records in the same day, which marked the end of a former world record that had been held for 42 years. Despite being banned from the 2020 Olympic Games after qualifying due to testing positive for a drug test, the sprinter has made an impressive comeback this year as she heads into the games as the fastest woman of the year, finishing the 100m in cool 10.71 seconds.
When and where to watch Sha'Carri: BBC IPlayer on August 2-3, August 8.
Sun Yingsha, Table Tennis Player
Since 2019, Sun Yingsha has dominated women's table tennis, and has managed to keep her spot in the global top three spot. The Chinese player won silver in the singles match in Tokyo, after narrowly losing to her fellow countrywoman Chen Meng, but achieved gold in the doubles match.
Despite this, Yingsha leads global scoreboards by miles and has doubles the points as Meng. During the Paris Games, Yinghsa will once again compete to hopefully win the gold in the singles title.
When and where to watch Sha'Carri: BBC IPlayer on July 30-31, August 5.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
Undoubtedly one of the fastest women in the world, with a personal best time of 10.60 seconds, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is no stranger to the Olympic Games. The sprinting star has previously competed in Beijing, London and Tokyo Games where she achieved numerous gold, silver and bronze medals. A fan favourite, Fraser-Pryce's rivalry with Richardson will finally come to a head as the pair will race against one another in the final of the women's 100m.
When and where to watch Sha'Carri: BBC IPlayer on August 2-3, August 8.
Phoebe Gill, Middle Distance Runner
One of Team GB's newest breakout stars, Phoebe Gill first achieved major recognition in 2023 when she became the British under-17 record holder for 800m and 1500, and again earlier this year when she claimed the European under-18 record holder for 800m. The Paris Games will be the teenager's first Olympic Games, but considering her literal track record, the odds are in her favour.
When and where to watch Phoebe: BBC IPlayer on August 2-5.
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