Most of us have an idea of what Earth’s greatest athletes must be like: ultra-competitive, motivated to win at all costs, driven to crush their rivals. Similar things are often repeated about the way women behave with other women. With that in mind, trope-believers might have expected Paris 2024 — the first Olympics to ever embrace gender parity for competitors — to be one giant “catfight.” Instead, another image has emerged. One of women supporting women at every level.
Here are just a few of the most notable examples of stereotype-crushing sports(wo)manship on display during the games.
Ariarne Titmus boosts Katie Ledecky
USA’s Katie Ledecky and Australia’s Ariarne Titmus clasp hands in triumph after the women’s 800-meter freestyle final. (Xue Yuge/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Stanford graduate Katie Ledecky had already earned seven Olympic gold medals and another 21 world championship golds when she arrived in Paris. On Aug. 3, however, after she won her ninth gold medal and became the most decorated female swimmer and most decorated American female athlete of all time, Ledecky knew she’d crossed a new kind of finish line.
The moment was not lost on the competitor in the swimming lane next to hers, Australia’s Ariarne Titmus, who had just scored a silver medal herself. As Ledecky took a moment in the water to catch her breath, looking lost in her own world, Titmus approached, grabbed Ledecky’s hand across the lane divider and raised it aloft to ensure Ledecky took a few seconds to absorb the cheers of the thrilled spectators. Titmus then offered Ledecky a hug and words of congratulations.
It was a perfect end to the race for women who are considered rivals by commentators, but who consider each other inspirations. Just days before the race, Ledecky said of Titmus, “We love competing against each other. It brings the best out of each of us and pushes each of us in training.”
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After the 800-meter race was over, Titmus said, “[Ledecky]’s made me a better athlete. I totally respect what she has done in this sport more than anyone else … She’s unreal.”
Silina Pha Aphay assists Lucia Moris
Silina Pha Aphay runs to the aid of Lucia Moris, who was injured during the women’s 100-meter preliminary round. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
On Aug. 2, nine female runners from all over the world gathered at the Stade de France in Paris to compete for a place in further 100-meter rounds. Laotian sprinter Silina Pha Aphay was among those competitors. After she crossed the finish line in sixth place, the 28-year-old turned back to the track and noticed one of her fellow runners hadn’t made it. Flat out on the ground and writhing in agony was South Sudan’s Lucia Moris, who had suffered an injury to her right leg during the race.
Without hesitating, Pha Aphay ran back to Moris, attempted to make the injured woman more comfortable, and flagged down medics to come and assist. Moris was soon carried away on a stretcher. Though neither woman advanced to further competitions, the moment they shared on the track was pure Olympic gold.
Sha’Carri Richardson and Melissa Jefferson celebrate Julien Alfred
Julien Alfred (C) of Saint Lucia, Sha’Carri Richardson (R) and Melissa Jefferson (L) of the United States celebrate after the women’s 100-meter final. (Li Ying/Xinhua via Getty Images)
When Julien Alfred won St. Lucia’s first ever Olympic medal — a gold one no less — in the women’s 100-meter final, she was understandably overcome with emotion. Noticing Alfred was sobbing, American bronze winner Melissa Jefferson approached her, attempting to comfort Alfred with a hug.
Moments later, when Alfred was doubled over and still visibly overwhelmed, silver medal winner Richardson came over, gave her a warm smile and a pat on the back and encouraged Alfred back onto the track to take a photo for posterity. The move snapped Alfred back into more celebratory spirits. The glorious image above is what followed — an encapsulation of women celebrating each other’s achievements with nothing but joy.
Tamires Morena carries Albertina Kassoma
Tamires Morena of Brazil carries Angola’s Albertina Kassoma off the court during the women’s handball preliminary match. (He Canling/Xinhua via Getty Images)
On Aug. 3, when Angola’s handball team captain Albertina Kassoma collapsed on the court with an injured knee, a series of remarkable things happened. The first person who rushed to Kassoma’s aid was, naturally, the Angolans’ team doctor. But once Kassoma was up on her feet, the next person to come to her aid was from the opposing team: Brazilian goalkeeper Gabriela Moreschi. Moreschi wrapped an arm around the 6-foot-3-inch Kassoma’s waist and got ready to assist her walk off the court. But before Kassoma could even attempt to take a step, in charged Brazilian line player Tamires Morena with an even better idea.
Morena scooped up her sporting rival and — with pretty astounding strength — smoothly carried Kassoma from the court to a chair and awaiting medics. As soon as Morena’s selfless act began, the nearly 6,000 handball fans inside South Paris Arena 6 roared their approval. Without missing a beat, after depositing Kassoma, Morena simply returned to the game. She later reported that Kassoma had shown her appreciation for the assist by saying, “Thank you very much, my friend. Only you could lift me up.”
Lindsey Horan comforts Saki Kumagai and Riko Ueki
Lindsey Horan comforts Japan’s Saki Kumagai after the women’s quarterfinal match. (Andrea Vilchez/ISI/Getty Images)
On Aug. 3, the U.S. women’s soccer team was victorious after Trinity Rodman scored a show-stopping goal during extra time. As the Americans erupted in celebrations on the Parc des Princes pitch, the members of the defeated Japanese team slowly let it sink in that their Olympic dreams were over.
It didn’t take long for U.S. team captain Lindsey Horan to notice their devastation unfolding. After spotting Saki Kumagai prostrate on the field, Horan quickly approached, embraced Kumagai in a warm hug and offered some words of comfort. Horan didn’t stop there either. TV cameras also caught her holding Japanese striker Riko Ueki. Pure class.
Rayssa Leal takes selfies with Coco Yoshizawa and Liz Akama
Bronze medallist Rayssa Leal of Brazil takes a selfie with gold medallist Coco Yoshizawa (C) and silver medallist Liz Akama (L), both representing Japan. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)
Much was made of the way in which Rayssa Leal of Brazil scuppered Japan’s hopes of scoring all three medals in the women’s street skateboarding competition by winning the bronze. Are there some ticked-off street skaters rolling around Tokyo right now? Maybe. If there are, Leal, gold medalist Coco Yoshizawa and silver medalist Liz Akama clearly couldn’t care less. After accepting their medals on the Paris podium, Leal initiated a selfie with her competitors in front of supportive crowds.
The skaters’ togetherness should come as little surprise to anyone who’s been paying attention to this newest of Olympic competitions. Throughout Paris 2024, the female skaters have displayed unbridled camaraderie for one another, cheering each other on, clasping hands, chatting, embracing and generally having a great time with each other. That’s how you do it.
Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles worship Rebeca Andrade
Silver medalist Simone Biles (L) and bronze medalist Jordan Chiles (R) bow down before gold medalist Rebeca Andrade (C) of Brazil after the artistic gymnastics women’s floor competition. (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
We couldn’t leave a list of heartwarming Paris 2024 moments without pointing to this: an Olympic scene that will go down in history.
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After Rebeca Andrade of Brazil won her first gold in the artistic gymnastics women’s floor competition, bronze winner Jordan Chiles and silver winner Simone Biles took it upon themselves to bow down in admiration of Andrade at the medals podium. It was a moment of women supporting women so heartwarming, it didn’t need words. Andrade’s delighted smile said it all.
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