9 Incredibly Inspiring Women From Rio 2016
[Photo:ddp USA/REX/Shutterstock]
The Olympics: a celebration of incredibly fit people doing incredible things whilst us normals shovel starchy snacks into our mouths, slumped on sofas like beached whales, sparing a thought for our languishing gym memberships. But it’s not all about the medals and the abs and how shiny they are under lights, dripping with sweat having exerted themselves more in 2 minutes than we have all month. Each nation’s competitors have fought to get on this stage; some against other competitors, some against their environments and some against themselves. Here’s a roundup of some of our favourite and most inspirational stories from the female athletes of Rio 2016.
Nicola Adams
The first ever woman to win Olympic gold in boxing in 2012 has gone on to defend her title this year in Rio. Openly bisexual, forever smiling and the first British boxer to defend an Olympic title since 1924, she is the epitome of strong, independent woman.
[Photo:Dave Shopland/BPI/REX/Shutterstock]
Fu Yuanhui
The Chinese bronze medalist swimmer known for her particularly flamboyant post-competition interviews casually mentioned her period as being a reason she didn’t perform so well whilst simultaneously not blaming it and apologising to her team. Because periods happen. We salute your cavalier attitude towards this most ridiculous of taboos.
[Photo:Aflo/REX/Shutterstock]
Joanna Rowsell
This British gold medallist and twice-in-one-day record breaker fought off a devastating mystery illness and last minute food poisoning this year before Rio. Having suffered with Alopecia since age 10, she’s turned her ailment into a strength by becoming a positive role model for body conscious women, receiving medals without a wig or a care.
[Photo:Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com/REX/Shutterstock]
Rafaela Silva
Raised in Rio’s most infamous favela, the City of God (see the movie of the same name), Rafaela literally fought her way out of the slums to win Brazil their first gold medal at this years Olympics.
[Photo:ddp USA/REX/Shutterstock]
Yusra Mardini
The 18 year old Syrian chosen for the first ever refugee team who pushed a capsizing boat full of migrants through the Mediterranean sea for 3 hours may not have placed on the medal table but her courage in the face of adversity wins all the gold.
[Photo:Xinhua News Agency/REX/Shutterstock]
Zahra Nemati
As an 18 year old competing in Taekwondo, she suffered a broken back in a car accident in 2003. As you do, she then decided to conquer the world of Archery, being chosen to bear the flag for Iran and the first woman to qualify for both the regular and Paralympics in 20 years.
[Photo:Francis Joseph Dean/REX/Shutterstock]
Ibtihaj Muhammad
The first Muslim-American woman to compete in a hijab and win an olympic medal, she’s kind of become the anti-Trump poster girl but virtue of being both American and Muslim whilst also being a grade A badass. She’s also unabashedly vocal about the dangers of a man like Trump, as should we all be.
[Photo:ddp USA/REX/Shutterstock]
Simone Biles
Hailed as the greatest at her sport before competing in a single event, the other competitors joked about the real competition being who came 2nd to this incredible 19 year old and her medal haul of 4 gold, 1 bronze at Rio.
[Photo:ddp USA/REX/Shutterstock]
Jillion Potter
In the past 6 years alone, this American Rugby 7s player has overcome a broken neck that could have left her a paraplegic and cancer to compete for the USA in this year’s Olympics. Just another day in the life, then.
[Photo:USOC/NBC Olympics]
Jessica Ennis-Hill Will Not Allow Mums To Be Body-Shamed
Just Thinking About Working Out Makes You Stronger, Apparently
