Gabrielle Thomas, of the United States, reacts after crossing the finish line first to win gold in the women’s 200 meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Saint-Denis, France, on Tuesday, Aug 06, 2024.
While Team USA walked away as the country with the most medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics—the real winners were all the amazingly beautiful and insanely talented Black women in the track and field sport.
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From gold medalists like Gabrielle “Gabby” Thomas (pictured above, who has a master’s degree in epidemiology from Harvard by the way) to silver medalists like Anna Cockrell whose smile could launch a thousand ships—we felt it fitting to take a look at the lethal face cards that graced Paris and our TV screens over the last few weeks.
Alexis Holmes
Alexis Holmes of Team United States prepares to compete in the Women’s 400m Semi-Final on day twelve of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 07, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo: Getty Images Jean Catuffe
Team USA’s Alexis Holmes has a sort of 90’s baddie fineness to her that is completely refreshing and I am absolutely obsessed with her.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of Team United States celebrates winning the Gold medal with team mates in the Women’s 4 x 400m Relay Final on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo: Getty Images Andy Cheung
Not only is Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone help bring home the gold for the Women’s 4 x 400m Relay, but she brought home gold individually at the Women’s 400m Hurdles and broke her own world record. A baddie with speed? I stan!
Anna Cockrell
Anna Cockrell celebrates on the podium during the victory ceremony for the women’s 400m hurdles athletics event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 9, 2024. Photo: Getty Images Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP
The only thing that could compete with the beauty of Team USA’s Anna Cockrell’s silver medal? Her pearly white and infectious smile. That’s the face men used to go to war over and you can’t convince me otherwise.
Sha’Carri Richardson
Sha’carri Richardson of team USA reacts after the women’s 4X100M relay final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 9, 2024. Photo: Getty Images Xu Chang/Xinhua
Team USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson consistently giving us fire photo finishes and looking good while doing it? 10/10, no notes!
Tara Davis-Woodhall
Tara Davis-Woodhall celebrates on the podium during the victory ceremony for the women’s long jump athletics event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 9, 2024. Photo: Getty Images Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP
Black girls do Long Jumps! And if you needed proof, watching Team USA’s Tara Davis-Woodhall should be the jumpstart you need with her gorgeous self!
Rhasidat Adeleke-Ireland
Rhasidat Adeleke of Team Ireland after winning the women’s 400m round 1 at the Stade de France during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. Photo: Getty Images Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
I knew Black folks lived all over the world, but I did not know there were some baddies like Rhasidat Adeleke in Ireland. I was not familiar with their game, I apologize.
Julien Alfred-Saint Lucia
Silver medallist St Lucia’s Julien Alfred celebrates on the podium during the victory ceremony for the women’s 200m athletics event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 7, 2024. Photo: Getty Images Martin BERNETTI / AFP
Putting her country of St. Lucia on the map, Julien Alfred took home the top prize in both the Women’s 100m and in the face card department because she’s a straight beauty.
Daryll Neita- Great Britain
Great Britain’s Daryll Neita during the Women’s 200m heats at the Stade de France on the ninth day of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France. Picture date: Sunday August 4, 2024. Photo: Getty Images Martin Rickett/PA
If there’s one thing Great Britain’s Daryll Neita has other than fast footwork, it’s a stella smile. Anna, watch out because this UK babe might give you a run for your money!
Favour Ofili-Nigeria
Favour Ofili of Nigeria during the Athletics Women’s 200m Final on Day 11 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 6, 2024 in Saint-Denis, France. Photo: Getty Images Henk Jan Dijks/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFod
With a name like Favour and a pretty face, this Nigerian Olympian really hit the jackpot in life.
Dina Asher-Smith- Great Britain
Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith ahead of the Women’s 4 x 100m Relay Final at the Stade de France on the fourteenth day of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France. Picture date: Friday August 9, 2024. Photo: Getty Images Martin Rickett/PA Images
Once again, Great Britian’s UK baddies are coming through and Dina Asher-Smith is no exception.
McKenzie Long
McKenzie Long of Team United States looks on during the Women’s 200m Round 1 on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 04, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo: Getty Images Hannah Peters
We’re gonna bring things back to the home turf real quick because we’ve got to shoutout fellow Team USA star McKenzie Long. I will always be rooting for you, sis!
Brittany Brown
USA’s Brittany Brown following the Women’s 200m Final at the Stade de France on the Eleventh day of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France. Picture date: Tuesday August 6, 2024. Photo: Getty Images Mustafa Yalçn/Anadolu
She’s a runner, she’s a trackstar—a Bronze medal-winning one with a megawatt smile at that. And for that Brittanty Brown, we thank you!
Jessika Gbai- Côte d’Ivoire
Jessika Gbai of ivory coast during the Athletics Women’s 200m Semi-Final on Day 10 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 5, 2024 in Saint-Denis, France. Photo: Getty Images Henk Jan Dijks/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi
Don’t let Ivory Coast’s Jessika Gbai’s look of determination fool you—this beauty is as gorgeous as she is fast and we truly love to see it!
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