Paris Olympics: Black Women to Watch

Opening ceremonies to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, is today. With 16 full days of events, 10,000 competitors from 206 countries, it can be difficult to identify which athletes to keep an eye on. Let me be your guide.

Eight Black women from the U.S will captivate the most casual of fans while they chase that coveted gold medal: Simone Biles, Coco Gauff, Simone Manuel, Sydney Mclaughlin-Levrone, Sha’Carri Richardson, Raven Saunders, Gabby Thomas, and A’ja Wilson.

Simone Biles leads this list of amazing women both alphabetically and intentionally. The most decorated gymnast in history makes her presence felt. Looking to add to her collection of seven Olympic medals, Biles will undoubtedly bounce, balance, and backflip her way to the highest podium. She fronts a group of mostly veteran gymnasts while equipping an interesting, new definition for success.

Biles tells Olympics.com, “Before, everybody defined success for me, even though I had my own narrative. Now, it’s about showing up, being in a good mental space, having fun, and letting whatever happens happen.”  

With the Olympics in front of her and a Top-10 Netflix Series (Simone Biles Rising: Season 1) beside her, Simone is making success, as she defines it, very easy to find.

Coco Gauff is making her own Olympic debut in Paris while also becoming the youngest flag bearer in USA Olympic history. As the No. 2 tennis player in the world, Gauff enters the Olympics in pursuit of a goal she set for herself earlier this year. Coco told WTA (Women’s Tennis Association), “Yeah, one of the goals I wrote down on my vision thing, was to win a medal in the Olympics.”

An outspoken advocate for social justice, the Gen Z Gauff might show her Gen X and Millennial Team USA teammates a thing or two about what it means to give voice and amplify a commitment to making a positive world change.

American swimmer Simone Manuel dives into her third Olympics with five career medals and the distinction of being the first Black woman from America to win an individual Olympic swimming title. Having fully recovered from Overtraining Syndrome, which diminished her capacity during at the Tokyo Olympics, Manuel is a key contributor to this year’s 4x100 relay team. She also makes a splash collaborating with fellow Olympian LeBron James’ “I Promise School,” where her swimsuit partner TYR Athletic Shoes offers swim lessons to students.

American hurdler Sydney Mclaughlin-Levrone is another three time Olympian and currently holds the Women’s world record in the 400m hurdles. Before setting that record (again), she ran through 2021 to 2022 seasons setting an unbelievable four world records. McLaughlin-Levrone was only 17 for her first Olympic experience in 2016, making her the youngest American to make an Olympic team since 1980. Now, in 2024, she’s clearly got a firm grip on all of life’s hurdles and leaps them with a well-trained body and an immense trust in God.

American track and field wonder Sha’Carri Richardson enters her first Olympics competition coming off a personal best in the 100m and a Cardi B co-sign. Sha’Carri is unapologetic and authentic. She takes up plenty of space with ego and accolades, but that space isn’t all theirs. It’s also about Sha’Carri and her humanness. Capturing the attention of the world is no small feat. She pulls it off not only because she’s fast and flamboyant but because she also represents herself with the purity, frailty, toughness, honesty, and love of a Black woman.

American track and field juggernaut Raven Saunders will represent the U.S for the third time while chasing her first gold medal. Shot put is a sport that involves trying to throw a heavy ball all the way into the next time zone. It takes incredible strength, balance and precision to win. And a Black, queer, mask-wearing, community, mental health, and social justice advocate nicknamed “Hulk” deserves your attention.

American track and field star Gabrielle “Gabby” Thomas is making her second appearance at the Summer Olympics looking for her first gold medal. Thomas isn’t only an elite athlete—she’s an elite servant who spends time volunteering at a health care clinic for people in her community without health insurance. Thomas wants young women of color watching her this summer to remember: “Just know that the world might try to put you down, but the sky is the limit for you. You can achieve anything that you want to do – so just keep going.”

Finally, U.S. basketball wizard A'ja Wilson is a two-time Olympian and gold medalist. A’ja is the face of the WNBA and an ambassador for all women’s sports. She’s the cool cousin everyone wants to hang out with and be like. And she’s shaping up to be the next MVP of the WNBA (her third). She also has a New York Times best-selling book with “Dear Black Girls,” and a signature shoe with Nike scheduled for release next year. She and the Las Vegas Aces are also cruising for a three-peat as WNBA champions. There’s no doubt Wilson’s pursuit of another gold medal is going to be must-see TV.

Black women at the 2024 Paris Olympics are going to win.

Black women at the 2024 Paris Olympics are going to inspire.

Black women at the 2024 Paris Olympics are going to galvanize.

Black women at the 2024 Paris Olympics are going to represent.

Black women at the 2024 Paris Olympics are going to lead.

Black women at the 2024 Paris Olympics are going to dominate.

Black women at the 2024 Paris Olympics are going to educate.

Black women at the 2024 Paris Olympics are going to shine.