Black Women made the 2024 Paris Olympics

By Alual Atak

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The Paris Summer Olympics recently concluded, and it was a historic event, especially for Black and Brown women athletes. They were a force to be reckoned with, shining brightly in every sport and event. Remarkably, Black women earned an impressive 42% of Team USA’s competition medals, a testament to their talent, determination, and resilience.

As we look back on these incredible games, it's important to celebrate and acknowledge the phenomenal Black women who not only participated but truly made their mark on the world stage. Let’s take a moment to highlight just a few of these extraordinary athletes who inspired us all with their brilliance and grace.

Track & Field

First let’s take a look into the Track & Field category.

4x400 Meter Relay

Shamier Little, Alexis Holmes, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Quanera Hayes, Aaliyah Butler, Kaylyn Brown. These iconic women brought home Gold for the United States in this event as well.

Victoria Ohuruogu, Laviai Nielsen, Amber Anning, Nicole Yeargin. These iconic won Bronze for Great Britain

4x100 Meter Relay

Sha’carri Richardson, Gabrielle Thomas, Twanisha Terry and Melissa Jefferson. Another group of iconic women who brought home Gold for the United States in this event as well.

Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Daryll Neita, Dina Asher-Smith. These black women were a part of Great Britain’s team that won Silver.

100 Meter Race

Melissa jefferson. Coming in right behind her teammate Melissa brought home Bronze in the Women’s 100M race.

Sha’Carri Richardson. By now you’ve probably already known this name, (how could you not) The woman who brought home a Gold medal for the United States in this event.

Women’s 400M Hurdles

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. This woman is the definition of how following Matthew 6:33 and you prevail in everything you do. In addition to being a part of the phenomenal women who won the 4x400 relay, Sydney brought home Gold in the Women’s 400M Hurdles Race and also broke her own previous world record.

Anna Cockrell trailing behind her teammate. Anna won silver for the United States.

100M Hurdles

Masai Russell. A first time Olympian, Masai brought home Gold in Women”s 100M Hurdles.

Cyrena Samba. Myela took home Silver for France in this event.

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn took home Bronze for Puerto Rico

Gabby Thomas. In addition to being a part of the iconic relay team that brought home medals, the Harvard graduate took home GOLD in the Women’s 200m bringing her total to THREE Gold medals from Paris 2024.

Women’s Long Jump

Tara Davis-Woodhall. This phenomenal woman brought home Gold in the Women's Long Jump for the United States in this event

Malaika Mihambo won Silver for Germany

Jasmine Moore took home Bronze for the United States.

Women’s 200M Race

Julien Alfred. A true gem. The Gold medal winner won it for Saint Lucia

Brittany Brown. Brittany brought home Bronze for the United States in the 200M Race.

Women’s 5000M Race

Beatrice Chebet took home the Gold for Kenya in this event.

Faith Kipyegeon took home Silver for Kenya in this event.

Sifan Hassan took home Bronze for Netherlands in this event.

Women’s Hammer Throw

Camyrn Roger took home Gold for Canada

Annete Nneka Echikunwoke won Bronze for the United States and made history as the first woman to win a medal for the United States in this event since added to the Olympics

Women’s 400M Race

Marileidy Paulino won Gold for the Dominican Republic

Salwa Eid-Naser won Silver.

Women’s 10,000M Race

Beatrice Chebet won another Gold medal for Kenya in this event.

Sifan Hassan won Bronze, winning a second medal for Netherlands.

Women’s Triple Jump

Thea Lofond won Gold for Dominica

Shaneika Ricketts won Silver for Jamaica

Jasmine Moore won Bronze for United States

Women’s 800M Race

Tsige Duguma won Silver for Ethiopia

Mary Moora won Bronze for Kenya

Women’s Marathon

Sifan Hassan won Gold for Netherlands, adding another one to her list.

Tigst Assefa won Silver for Ethiopia

Hellen Obiri won Bronze for Kenya

Women’s Shot Put

Yemisi Ogunleye won Gold for Germany

Women’s 1500M Race

Faith Kipyegon won Gold for Kenya

Women’s 3000M SteepleChase Race

Winfred Yavi won Gold for Bahrain

Peruth Chemtai won Silver for Uganda

Faith Cherotich won Bronze for Kenya

Gymnastics

Simone Biles-Owens

The iconic gymnast of our generation. Simone brought home 3 Gold and 1 Silver Medal for the United States.

Gold, Women’s Artistic Individual All-Around

Gold, Women’s Artistic Team All-Around

Gold, Women’s Vault Artistic gymnastics

Silver, Women’s Floor Artistic gymnastics

Jordan Chiles

The young black Chilean gymnast racked up TWO – because no matter what they say we will always recognize all of her wins – medals while in Paris.

Gold, for Women's Artistic Team All-Around

Bronze, for Women's Floor Exercise.

Soccer

The iconic team USA brought home Gold for the United States. Their starting lineup consisted of Lynn Williams, Sophia Smith, Jaedyn Shaw, Crystal Dunn, Trinity Rodman, Casey Krueger, Naomi Girma all black women.

Basketball

Women’s 3x3

Dearica Hamby, Cierra Burdick, Rhyne Howard. The ladies took home the Bronze medal in Women's 3 x 3 Basketball.

Women’s Basketball

Britney Griner, Jewell Loyd, Alyssa Thomas, A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Khalea Copper, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young Team USA brought home Gold in women’s basketball

Fencing

Lauren Scruggs

A true champion, Lauren brought two medals. One in Event Women's Team Foil and one Silver in Women’s Individual Foil

Rugby

Rugby Sevens Game

Naya Tapper & Ariana Ramsey

The iconic duo made history winning Bronze for the United States making it the first medal ever won by the United States in this sport.

As the world reflects on the Paris Summer Olympics, the legacy of these remarkable Black women is undeniable. Their performances not only earned them medals but also redefined the standards of excellence in their respective sports. These athletes have shown the world the true power of resilience, determination, and representation, proving that barriers can be broken and new heights can be reached. Their success goes beyond the individual events; it sparks inspiration for a new generation of athletes who see themselves in these champions and dream of following in their footsteps. As we celebrate their achievements, let’s also commit to supporting and uplifting these trailblazers as they continue to shape the future of sports and pave the way for those who will come after them. Their impact will be felt for years to come, and it’s a privilege to witness their journey.