Which female athletes exceeded expectation this year? I’m no sports guru but I love following my fellow women’s successes. Here are a list of my top five stars at this summer’s Paris Olympics.
1. Faith Kipyegon’s triple gold and record-breaking 1,500m
Faith Kipyegon of Kenya made Olympic history by becoming the first athlete, male or female, to win three gold medals in the 1,500 metres event. In Paris, she not only clinched her third consecutive Olympic title but also broke her own Olympic record with a time of 3:51.29. This remarkable achievement solidified her legacy as one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time, showcasing her unparalleled dominance in the sport.
2. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone smashes her own 400m hurdles world record
American hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone once again stunned the world by breaking her own world record in the Women’s 400m hurdles. She completed the race in an astonishing 50.37 seconds, further lowering the mark she set in 2022. McLaughlin-Levrone’s performance exemplified her extraordinary speed, precision, and determination, making her one of the most celebrated athletes of the 2024 Olympics.
3. Sifan Hassan’s record-breaking women’s marathon
Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands made a historic run in the Women’s Marathon, breaking the Olympic record with a time of 2:22:55. Hassan’s victory, which shaved 12 seconds off the previous Olympic record, highlighted her incredible endurance and tactical prowess. Her record-setting performance added to her already impressive track career and marked her as a versatile long-distance runner.
4. Lim Si-hyeon’s archery world record
In the ranking round of the Women’s Individual Archery event, South Korea’s Lim Si-hyeon set a new world record with a score of 694. She surpassed the previous record of 692 held by her compatriot Kang Chae-young. Lim’s precision and composure under pressure showcased the exceptional skill and focus required in archery, making her achievement one of the standout moments for women at the Olympics.
5. Marileidy Paulino breaks the Women’s 400m Olympic record
Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino electrified the track by breaking the Olympic record in the Women’s 400m with a time of 48.17 seconds. She surpassed the previous record held by France’s Marie-José Pérec. Paulino’s record-breaking run not only earned her the gold medal but also solidified her status as one of the fastest women in the world, making her performance one of the most memorable at the 2024 Olympics.
