We are just hours away from the official opening ceremonies for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris (omg!) and this might be the best one ever! With over 10,000 athletes representing 206 nations, the Paris Olympics is the first time since the 2018 Winter Olympic Games that family, friends, and crowds will be back cheering on the athletes. This is a huge deal and will make all the difference to not only the athletes, but the fans watching from home, too!
Paris has pulled out all the stops to make these games truly a unique experience. The events will take place throughout the beautiful city at iconic locations like beach volleyball under the Eiffel Tower and the Opening Ceremonies parade via boat down the Seine. Oh and surfing? Tahiti! ️
The Paris Olympics is also going to be groundbreaking for gender equality in elite sport, with 50/50 male and female athlete representation for the first time in Olympic history! LFG!
With this year feeling very FUTURE IS FEMALE, we have compiled a list of some of the most badass, WOMEN TO WATCH. These women are about to break records, ceilings and hearts around the world.
Is anyone else getting chills? Just me? Cool!
Sha’Carri Richardson, Track & Field
This queen is about to show the world what she was born to do! Sha’Carri Richardson is definitely a woman to watch in track & field as she makes her Olympic debut in Paris. After a total bogus disqualification from the 2020 Tokyo games, all eyes will be on Sha’ Carri with a comeback you can’t miss. I already predict new gold hardware around her neck in the coming days!
Simone Biles, Gymnastics
What else is there to say? She is a four-time Olympian, the most decorated gymnast in the world, AND has five, yes FIVE, skills named after her. She put her mental health first in 2021 and became an advocate for mental health and wellness inspiring millions to do the same. Well, Simone is back. Simone is ready. And Simone is about to prove to herself and the WORLD that she is and will always be the GOAT!
Katie Ledecky, Swimming
Another GOAT who is also participating in her fourth Olympics is the superhuman Katie Ledecky. She is competing in 4 events and if she wins gold, she will have more gold medals than any female Olympian, ever. This would also make her #2 to another GOAT in the pool (Michael Phelps, anyone?) to have earned 10+ gold medals.
Pro Tip: This woman swims so fast that when you watch her, the other competitors are usually not even on the same screen view. LET’S GO KATIE!!!
The USA Women’s Basketball Team, Basketball
The entire group of women on this year’s team deserve a shoutout! They have won seven straight gold medals starting in 1996 so are ready to bring another one back for Team USA! Leading the team will be Diana Taurasi participating in her sixth Olympics. She is already the most decorated Olympic basketball player of all time. Also part of Team USA is the incredible Brittney Griner who will have a unique purpose and experience this time. Cannot wait to cheer these women on! EVERYONE WATCHES WOMEN SPORTS!
Grace “Sunny” Choi, Breaking
For the first time ever, Breaking will be part of the Olympic games! Grace “Sunny” Choi who is currently the reigning USA B-Girl Champion, will be repping the USA. Sunny balances a full-time corporate job and intense break training. Could she be more of a BossBabe? Although we might not offer breaking, DivaDance does offer dance choreography for adults — find a location near you!
Ilona Maher, Rugby
Ilona Maher will be competing in her 2nd Olympics as part of the USA Women’s Rugby team. Aside from her immense talent, Ilona speaks to the world via her Instagram and TikTok accounts encouraging body positivity and girl power. She is also truly one of the funniest content creators, already dubbing the Olympic Village, the “The Villa,” a nod to her Love Island obsession. Follow her for lots of behind-the-scenes content and giggles!
Rayssa Leal, Skateboarding
Rayssa won silver in 2020 in Tokyo becoming one of the youngest medalists in HERSTORY at the age of just 13. Well this Brazilian skateboarder, is back and looking to make it up on the podium again. She won gold at the World Skate Street Skateboarding Championship as well as the X Games in Japan.
Keep an eye on this one!
Sun Yingsha, Table Tennis
Sun Yingsha, People’s Republic of China, is 23 years old and the world’s number one table tennis player since 2022. She has not been out of the world’s top 3 since October 2019. She is looking to win 3 gold medals in Paris to make her the first to do so at a single Olympic Games!
WELL, THERE YOU HAVE IT!
Those are just a handful of women to watch at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. It is going to be an incredible 2 weeks of competition that you can watch exclusively on NBC and Peacock who is streaming everything live!
But wait, there’s more…
The legendary Mike Tirico is back to bring all us all the latest news and happenings around Paris, along with those memorable heartfelt interviews on the Olympic couch with the newest medalists each night.
Pro Tip: Snoop Dogg will be officially joining the NBC team in Paris and I can promise you, you don’t want to miss his commentary which, in my opinion, is an Olympic sport!
