Gold medalists Lauren Henry, Hannah Scott, Lola Anderson and Georgina Brayshaw of Great Britain celebrate after winning the women's quadruple sculls at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Vaires-sur-Marne, France, on July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
The Paris Olympics showcased extraordinary female athletes who defied the odds, broke records, and achieved historic milestones, highlighting their resilience, determination, and enduring passion for sports.
PARIS, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with an equal number of men and women competing for the first time, has become the stage for numerous talented female athletes. They have broken records and achieved milestones. Here are those who have stood out, demonstrating their power, perseverance, and faith in sports (in alphabetical order):
Georgina Brayshaw (Great Britain, Rowing)
Brayshaw was paralyzed on her left side and told she might never walk again after a life-threatening head injury from a horse-riding accident at the age of 15. Yet she was able to get involved in the GB Rowing Olympic talent program during university and defied all odds to win, together with her teammates, women's quadruple sculls gold in a photo finish ahead of the Netherlands.
"It was all about belief and trust in what people behind me were saying, and they told me that we could do it, and so I just kept going," she said.
Julien Alfred (C) of Saint Lucia crosses the finish line first in the women's 100m final at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
Julien Alfred (Saint Lucia, Athletics)
Alfred won the country's first Olympic medal after taking the women's 100m gold and then added a silver in the 200m race. "I'm going to start crying. I've been trying to stay strong as much as possible. It means a lot to me, my coach, my country, which I'm sure is celebrating now," said an emotional Alfred after her 100m victory in 10.72 seconds.
"Growing up, I used to be on the field struggling, with no shoes, running barefoot, running in my school uniform, running all over the place. We barely have the right facilities. The stadium is not fixed. I hope this gold medal will help St Lucia build a new stadium, to help the sport grow."
Liu Hong in action during the women's 20km race walk at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Liu Hong (China, Athletics)
Having won a complete set of Olympic medals, Liu came to Paris for her fifth Olympic Games as the eldest Chinese athlete. She confessed she had thought about calling it quits after every one of her five Olympics, but the passion for the sport kept her going all the way, especially after giving birth to her daughter in 2018.
Asked if she would be there for LA 2028, the 37-year-old replied: "I can't give an answer yet, but I know it will be difficult."
Nino Salukvadze in action during the women's 25m pistol qualification rapid at the 2024 Olympic Games in Chateauroux, France, Aug. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
Nino Salukvadze (Georgia, Shooting)
Salukvadze competed in her 10th Olympic Games in women's 25m pistol, becoming the first female athlete to reach this milestone. Winning a gold and silver in her Olympic debut in the Seoul Olympics in 1988, Salukvadze's career has spanned four decades, and the sports have not only brought her glory, but love and friendship.
"40 years. It's almost a lifetime. But it's been a wonderful journey. I have made many friends from every country. This is the most important aspect of attending the Olympics," said Salukvadze.
Simone Biles of the United States competes in the women's balance beam final at the 2024 Olympic Games, Aug. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Li An)
Simone Biles (United States, Gymnastics)
After stepping away from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to mental health concerns and facing harsh criticism afterwards, Biles made a powerful comeback in Paris, capturing three golds in the individual all-around, vault and team events and one silver in floor exercise.
Biles had a message for girls who want to follow her footsteps: "Just go for it. Make sure you're having fun and you can accomplish big things. As long as you're mentally and physically in tune, you can do whatever you dream of."
Yaylagul Ramazanova competes in the women's individual 1/16 elimination round at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/He Canling)
Nada Hafez (L) in action against Jeon Ha-young of South Korea in the women's sabre individual last 16 at the Paris Olympic Games, July 28, 2024. (Photo courtesy of FIE)
Yaylagul Ramazanova (Uzbekistan, Archery); Nada Hafez (Egypt, Fencing)
Ramazanova and Hafez made headlines as they competed while pregnant; six-and-a-half months for Ramazanova, and seven months for Hafez.
Ramazanova ousted China's An Qixuan in the 1/32 elimination round through a shoot-off, where she won 10 to 9. "I felt my baby kick me before I shot this arrow and then I shot a 10," the 34-year-old recalled with a smile.
Gold medalist Zheng Qinwen poses for photos after winning the women's tennis singles tournament at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Zheng Qinwen (China, Tennis)
China's tennis ace Zheng made history at Roland Garros as she defeated Donna Vekic of Croatia in straight sets to become the first Asian to win the Olympic women's singles gold medal.
"I felt like I represented all of Chinese tennis, and winning the gold made, all the hard work and struggles are worthwhile," she noted. "Achieving dreams requires setting goals, but the journey will have its hardships, doubts, and sacrifices. Enjoy the process because every failure is a step towards success." ■
