Best hair at the 2024 Paris Olympics: Suni Lee, Noah Lyles, Trinity Rodman

The Olympics are not about hair, but about epic human achievement, teamwork, pride, humility and community. However, it’s also hard to ignore the athletes who are not only at the top of their sport, but also in their hairpins.

From patriotic braids to unexpected mullets, the 2024 Paris Olympics is the ultimate lookbook of quirky, bold hairstyles that may or may not enhance athletic performance, but are sure to capture the world’s attention.

Maybe it’s because Paris is the fashion capital of the world, so competitors have decided to raise the bar when it comes to style. Maybe it’s because this new generation of international athletes grew up with access to hair tutorials on YouTube. Or perhaps these superhuman talents have realized that, in a world where very few stars are actual household names, making their appearance as memorable as their performance is a great way to stand out.

There’s also the fact that if you grow up sporty, having fun with your hair may not be a priority, so the Olympics are a great opportunity for self-expression. You know there are millions of eyes and cameras on you, so you might as well give it your best shot! It’s just like your wedding day, only sweatier…

Whatever the reasons, we are here for it. We’ve picked some of our favorite hair looks from the games so far:

Sunisa Lee (USA)

There are strict rules in gymnastics about pinning your hair back (no one wants their ponytail to get tangled around a balance beam), but superstar Lee has found a way to stick to protocol and throw in a little eye-catching detail. to sprinkle – a subtle but cute braided bun.

Sha’Carri Richardson (USA)

Richardson, who took the silver medal in the women’s 100 meters on Saturday, August 3, said perfecting her hair and make-up for the track gave her a confidence boost. “My job is my catwalk,” she says recently told Fashion. “We glamorize! We put it on! When we step forward, we will be ready no matter what. Look good, feel good, do good. It all has to do with the mental aspect, the emotional aspect and ultimately the physical aspect.”

Noah Lyles (USA)

It’s not just women who can have fun experimenting; Men’s 100m gold medalist Lyles also likes to mix it up! It’s good to know that it’s possible to stay fast and sleek while giving your hair a little extra oomph, right?

Trinity Rodman (USA)

This has to be one of our favorite looks from the games so far. How cool were Trinity Rodman’s long, pink, mermaid-like braids during the women’s soccer games? The USWNT player added the pink color just a few weeks before the Olympics. When she arrived in France, she styled her locks into a flowing ponytail, wove the small braids into two French braids, and even wove a beret over the top.

Imani-Lara Lansiquot (Great Britain)

Sprinter Lansiquot is another athlete who prides herself on looking good on the track, especially since her strict training schedule means she doesn’t really have a social life to dress up for. “As someone who doesn’t go out that much, I really enjoy putting on a full face of makeup for race day. It’s like having a big event to prepare for,” she said Grazia. “I have a Pinterest board and I save eyeliner and hair looks that match the new season colors. It’s a really fun way to add a different kind of excitement to race preparation, and it keeps my internal pressure down while I’m externally rotated into the season.”

Anna Cockrell (USA)

Hurdler Cockrell has experimented with different looks over the years, but for Paris she cut her curls short — and also says that doing her hair is an important part of her preparation process. “It’s a time for me to be very intentional and be alone and listen to a podcast or listen to music and just be with myself and have a task, rather than lying in bed and being nervous ,” she said NBC. “I feel a lot freer with my short hair. I like to go into a race with a fresh feeling.”

Louie Hinchliffe (Great Britain)

Described as ‘the world’s fastest mullet’, sprinter Hinchliffe has attracted almost as much attention for his hair as for his impressive running. The 22-year-old also wears safety pin earrings, so we’d love to see more of his off-duty style.

Jazmin Sawyers (Great Britain)

“My favorite way to compete is to wear my hair in two buns,” said long jumper Sawyers Grazia. “I love this part of it; When I look good I feel more confident, and confidence is half the battle in competition. It seems that beauty is a crucial ingredient in many athletes’ recipe for success.

Melissa Jefferson (USA)

How cute is Jefferson’s big blue bow? The 23-year-old impressed when she won bronze in the 100 metres.

Akoko Komlanvi (Togo)

Komlanvi, a rower, is one of a number of athletes who have chosen to nod to their country’s flag colors – and if your country’s flag is yellow, red and green, it makes for a very fun and fresh look that stands out on the dirty water.

Keely Hodgkinson (Great Britain)

The middle-distance runner, who won gold for Team GB in the women’s 800m on Monday (August 5), has one of those flowy blonde ponytails that all the most athletic girls in high school had. “My mantra on race day is ‘look good, feel good,’” she says. “My beauty routine all helps me get ready for the competition and I love it! My blonde hair really stands out on the track and I love racing when my hair is long and curly. A hair stick and some gel are sufficient. The song is our stage to perform and an opportunity to show our individuality.”

Yaroslava Mahuchikh (Ukraine)

Many of the athletics events were all about the braids, and high jumper Mahuchikh’s were among the most stylish. Spending time on her hair has become a tradition for the athlete, another way to find focus and calm her pre-competition nerves. It clearly works; she has gold!

Coco Gauff (USA)

Tennis can be a pretty serious sport (just ask John McEnroe), but Coco Gauff added a subtle touch of playfulness and patriotism to the game with her beautiful red, white and blue braids.

Tori Franklin (US)

Another athlete who enthusiastically embraced the red, white and blue vibe, but unfortunately Franklin’s spectacular flying locks didn’t give her the extra boost she needed to reach the triple jump finals.

Worthy de Jong (Netherlands)

Dutch basketball player De Jong likes to experiment with idiosyncratic styles. He has previously worn a leopard print dye, but he opted for bleach and blue to stand out for his country at the Olympics.

Alex ‘Spiff’ Sedrick (USA)

We love that so many women playing male-dominated sports are once again showing that you can be a badass athlete who means business and still enjoy making your hair look cute. Rugby Sevens star Sedrick’s braided updo, topped with a patriotic scrunchie, is one of the best looks of the games so far.