Women were not allowed to compete in the Olympics until 1900 at the Paris Olympics. 997 athletes competed in the 1900 Olympics, only 22 of which were women who competed in tennis, sailing, croquet, equestrianism, and golf.
Since 1900, many trailblazing female athletes have accomplished unprecedented feats. Their stories deserve recognition and to be shared to motivate other athletes around the world.
Let’s take a look at some female athletes who have inspired the world through their journeys at the Olympics.
Serena Williams – Redefining Greatness
Williams celebrates at the 2012 Olympics. (2012 Getty Images)
Serena Williams is widely regarded around the world as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Serena has participated in three Olympic games, including 2000, 2008, and 2012. She has won a total of four medals, all of which are gold. The 2000 Olympics were held in Sydney, where Serena won her first medal, which was gold. She won this gold medal in the doubles event with her sister, Venus, as her partner. Serena did not compete in the 2004 Olympics, however she returned to the stage in 2008. Once again, she competed with her sister in the doubles event and won a second gold medal.
It was at the 2012 Olympics in London where Serena claimed her first Olympic women’s singles title. She earned a gold medal after defeating close competitor, Maria Sharapova of Russia, in the final match. With this win, she won gold in both the singles and doubles events in the same Olympics, joining only two other women who have accomplished this feat – Venus Williams in 2000 and Helen Wills in 1924. Serena was less successful at the 2016 Olympics, competing but not earning any medals. Though, her career remains an example of greatness. Throughout the open era, Serena has won more Grand Slam singles titles (23) than any other woman or man.
Her older sister, Venus Williams, is also known to have redefined the sport. Venus is now the most decorated tennis player in Olympics history after earning a fifth medal in 2016 and surpassing Serena.
Simone Biles – Defying Odds
Biles seen wearing her four medals from the 2024 Olympics. (2024 Getty Images)
Simone Biles is considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time and is the most decorated gymnast in history. This success is due to her dedication and determination to be the best athlete. She has created and named five gymnastic moves after herself, further showing her success and the outstanding accomplishments she has achieved.
Biles competed in three Olympic games, including the 2016, 2020, and 2024 Olympics. At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Biles earned four gold medals in team, all-around, vault, and floor. She also won a bronze medal for beam. (Not bad for a first Olympics appearance, eh?) At the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Biles claimed a silver medal in team and a bronze medal in beam. In her most recent Olympics, the 2024 Paris games, she added three more gold medals in team, all-around, and vault, as well as a silver medal in floor.
However, it was at the 2020 games that Biles withdrew from several events due to mental health reasons. Expectations for Biles to perform well were high, mainly due to her exceptional performance in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. She was open to the world, and shared that she was battling the “twisties”, which describes a mental block during aerial tricks. Continued performance could be dangerous, as the body struggles to align with what the mind is telling it to do. Biles received backlash over her decision to withdraw from events to prioritize her mental health. However, this event led to more conversations regarding the mental health of athletes and the pressure put on them. Simone Biles continues to inspire athletes and defy all odds in her accomplishments.
Katie Ledecky – Pushing Limits
Ledecky poses with her medals after the 2024 Olympics. (© Kristy Sparow)
Katie Ledecky is considered one of the all-time greats in swimming. She has competed in four Olympics, including the 2012 London games at only 15 years old, the 2016 Rio games, the 2020 Tokyo games, and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Currently, Ledecky holds the record for most Olympic gold medals in swimming by a woman with 9, and ties Larisa Latynina for the most gold medals by a woman in any sport. She has earned 14 Olympic medals in total. She dominated the 800m freestyle from 2012 to 2024, pushing the limits and becoming the first woman to win the same individual swimming event four times.
At Ledecky’s first Olympics in 2012, she won a gold medal in the 800m freestyle. At the Rio Olympics in 2016, she added three more gold medals in the 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, and 800m freestyle. She also won another gold medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay and a silver medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay. At the 2020 Olympics, she earned two more gold medals in the 800m freestyle and the 1500m freestyle. She also won two more silver medals in the 400m freestyle and the 4x200m freestyle relay. In the 2024 Olympic games, she won her first bronze medal in the 400m freestyle. Ledecky also won gold in the 800m freestyle (for her fourth consecutive gold in the event), gold in the 1500m freestyle, and silver in the 4x200m freestyle. Ledecky’s list of accomplishments at the Olympics is astounding and impressive. She has broken numerous world records and continues to excel at swimming, inspiring female athletes of all sports.
Paving the Way
Williams, Biles, and Ledecky are just a few notable female athletes who have competed in the Olympic games. There are standout female athletes in all sports who continue to break barriers and instigate change. The dedication and determination it takes for these athletes to get to the Olympic stage is inspiring to athletes around the world.
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