Athletes and Advocates: US Summer Olympians Beyond the Podium

The 2024 Summer Olympics were the first time in history where there was an equal number of women and men competing. The Paris Games saw 10,500 athletes going for gold. The US was represented by 588 athletes, 313 women and 269 men, the fourth consecutive time women have outnumbered men on the US team.

To recognize this milestone, let’s introduce (or re-introduce) 11 exceptional female US Olympians. These incredible athletes have done more than earn medals in women’s events. They also leveraged their presence on the global stage to advocate for positive change in their communities and country.

Simone Biles

Sport: Gymnastics

Olympic Medals: 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥈🥈🥉🥉

Advocacy Beyond the Podium: Mental Health, Addiction Treatment and Recovery

Simone Biles is a powerful advocate for mental health. She brought global attention to the importance of mental health when she stepped back from gymnastics in 2020. She missed much of the Tokyo Summer Olympics to focus on her well-being before officially returning to gymnastics in 2023. Biles also speaks openly about the impact substance abuse has had on her family and supports campaigns for better treatment and recovery options.

Simone_Biles_US_Gymnastic_Trials[1] — Simone Biles competes on the balance beam at the 2024 United States Gymnastics Olympic Trials (AP Photo/Abbie Parr).

Simone_Biles_Medal_of_Freedom[1] — Simone Biles receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Joe Biden (AP Photo/Susan Walsh).

Put mental health first, because if you don’t, then you’re not going to enjoy your sport, and you’re not going to succeed as much as you want to … it’s OK sometimes to even sit out the big competitions to focus on yourself because it shows how strong of a competitor that you really are, rather than just battle through it.

Simone Manuel

Sport: Swimming

Olympic Medals: 🥇🥇🥈🥈🥈🥉

Advocacy Beyond the Podium: Diversity in Swimming, Racial Equality in Sport

Simone Manuel made history as the first Black American woman to win the individual Olympic gold in swimming. Since then, she’s used her platform to promote diversity in her sport. The Simon Manuel Foundation provides swimming lessons and programs to BIPOC youth. It also strives to increase water safety awareness in communities of color. Manuel has also joined several initiatives like the Make a Splash program, which provides free or low-cost swimming lessons to underserved communities.

Simone_Manuel[1] — Simone Manuel reacts after winning the Women's 50-meter freestyle finals at the 2024 US Swimming Olympic Trials (AP Photo/Darron Cummings).

“It’s unsettling when you’re always having to defend what you love. It’s hard to feel different as a kid, like you’re the only one, as I often was when it came to swimming.”

Allyson Felix

Sport: Track and Field

Olympic Medals: 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥈🥈🥈🥉

Advocacy Beyond the Podium: Athletes’ Rights, Maternal Health

Allyson Felix has championed maternal health and athlete rights throughout her career. She successfully pressured Nike to improve its sponsorship policies for pregnant athletes. She also often speaks out about the inequity of care that Black women, and women in general, can face in the healthcare system while pregnant. The need for equal pay and equity in sports are also causes she champions for using her platform.

Allyson_Felix_Maternal_Health[1] — Allyson Felix races in a 400-meter heat at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics (AP Photo/Martin Meissner).

Allyson_Felix_Tokyo_Olympics[1] — Allyson Felix discusses the Black maternal health crisis with Vice President Kamala Harris in 2021 (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta).

For a long time, I tried to fit into this mold of a perfect athlete. [Speaking out] was absolutely scary and terrifying. It still feels uncomfortable. But you can’t let that get in your way. You can use your voice, even if it shakes. That’s something that I hold on to.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Sport: Track and Field

Olympic Medals: 🥇🥇🥇🥈🥉🥉

Advocacy Beyond the Podium: Children’s Education, Health and Physical Education

The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation has provided resources, education, and athletic opportunities to underserved communities since 1988. Joyner-Kersee also mentors youth in her hometown of East St. Louis, IL, encouraging active living as a pillar of well-being. She also speaks out about racial inequality in the US and is a founding member of Athletes for Hope. Moreover, she worked with Comcast to create the Internet Essentials program, providing high-speed internet access to low-income Americans.

Jackie_Joyner-Kersee[1] — Jackie Joyner-Kersee runs with US flag after winning gold at the Olympic Games in Barcelona, August 2, 1992 (AP Photo/David Longstreath).

“Your environment doesn’t define you. I don’t have a lot of money, but I can help train people, and I can talk to people. We can all be mentors to the next generation.”

Ibtihaj Muhammad

Sport: Fencing

Olympic Medals: 🥉

Advocacy Beyond the Podium: Diversity and Inclusion, Muslim Women in Sport

Ibtihaj Muhammad is an advocate for diversity and inclusion, being the first Muslim-American woman to compete in the Summer Olympics wearing a hijab. She often speaks about her experience as a Muslim-American athlete and the importance of representation in sports. She also partnered with Mattel on the release of the first Barbie to wear a hijab. Muhammad supports many other social justice movements for underserved groups.

Ibtihaj_Muhammad_medal_win[1] — Ibtihaj Muhammad celebrates after winning a point against Russia in a women's team saber fencing semifinal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics. Muhammad was the first Muslim-American woman to compete for the US (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini).

Ibtihaj_Muhammad_Galmour_Women_of_the_Year_Awards[1] — Ibtihaj Muhammad attends the 2017 Glamour Women of the Year Awards, 2017, in New York (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP).

“I’ve had to fight for every win, every place at the table, every ounce of respect on my path to world-class athlete. And I will continue to fight because the prize this time—an America that truly respects all of its citizens—is worth more than any medal. Inshallah: so, may it be.”

Aly Raisman

Sport: Gymnastics

Olympic Medals: 🥇🥇🥇🥈🥈🥉

Advocacy Beyond the Podium: Mental Health, Consent, Systemic Change in Sport

Aly Raisman was one of the first athletes to speak out about the abuse perpetrated by a former USA Gymnastics doctor, and played a considerable role in bringing him to justice. Since then, she has continued to advocate for survivors of sexual abuse. Raisman speaks openly about the impact the abuse she suffered continues to have on her through her OCD, anxiety, and PTSD. She was a vocal voice in starting the #MeToo movement and speaks regularly to groups about the importance of self-advocacy and consent.

Aly_Raisman_Olympics[1] — Aly Raisman performs on the floor during the gymnastics gala at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky).

Aly_Raisman_trial[1] — Aly Raisman testifies at a Senate hearing regarding the FBI's handling of the Nassar investigation, 2012. Larry Nassar is a former doctor once associated with US Gymnastics and now in prison for sexual abuse offenses. (AP/Saul Loeb/Pool).

Megan Rapinoe

Sport: Soccer

Olympic Medals: 🥇🥉

Advocacy Beyond the Podium: Pay Equality, LGBTQIA+ Rights, Racial Equality

Megan Rapinoe earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020 for her vocal support of pay equality, LGBTQIA+ rights, and racial equality. She works with many LGBTQIA+ organizations and co-led a lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation for equal pay for the US Women’s Team. Rapinoe was one of the first white athletes to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Megan_Rapinoe_Medal_of_Freedom[1] — Megan Rapinoe at the White House, July 2022, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite).

Megan_Rapinoe_Olympics[1] — Megan Rapinoe (L) and Canada's Ashley Lawrence battle for the ball during the semifinal at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics (AP Photo/Martin Mejia).

“[T]here’s no level of status and there’s no accomplishment or power that will protect you from the clutches of inequality. One cannot simply outperform inequality or be excellent enough to escape discrimination of any kind.”

Wilma Rudolph

Sport: Track and Field

Olympic Medals: 🥇🥇🥇🥉

Advocacy Beyond the Podium: American Civil Rights, Women’s Rights

Wilma Rudolph used the fame from her gold medal run at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome to speak out against segregation and discrimination against Black Americans. She insisted that her Olympic homecoming parade in Clarksville, TN, be integrated, the first event of its kind for the town. Rudolph was also a vocal supporter of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in schools or any education programs that have federal funding.

Wilma_Rudolph_Medals[1] — Wilma Rudolph (L) with the rest of Team USA after receiving the gold medal for the women's 4 x 100-meter relay race at the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics (AP Photo).

Wilma_Rudolph_Olympics[1] — Wilma Rudolph starts a heat of the women's 200-meter at the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics (AP Photo/Pool).

“I have spent a lifetime trying to share what it has meant to be a woman first in the world of sports so that other young women have a chance to reach their dreams.”

Claressa Shields

Sport: Boxing

Olympic Medals: 🥇🥇

Advocacy Beyond the Podium: Domestic Violence Awareness, Gender Equity in Boxing, Youth Empowerment

Claressa Shields has broken barriers for women in boxing by speaking openly about pay disparities and advocating for greater recognition for women boxers. She uses her platform to highlight high-performing female athletes and increase media coverage of women’s sports. In 2021, she headlined the first all-women pay-per-view boxing event to prove the marketability of women fighters. Shields has also spoken openly about how domestic violence has impacted her life and participated in campaigns to support survivors.

Claressa_Shields_Olympics[1] — Claressa Shields celebrates after winning her fight against Russia's Nadezda Torlopova during the women's middleweight 75-kilogram boxing gold medal match at the 2012 London Summer Olympics (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky).

“We don’t get the equal TV time, the equal promotion, equal pay. That’s what I’ve been trying to do with my platform, make sure I get all of that.”

Dara Torres

Sport: Swimming

Olympic Medals: 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥈🥈🥈🥈🥉🥉🥉🥉

Advocacy Beyond the Podium: Senior Women in Sports, Gender Equity, Pay Equality

Having participated in five Summer Olympics, Dara Torres is a well-known representative and advocate for older women’s athleticism and elite performance. She even wrote a book about it, Age is Just a Number. Torres has also been a vocal proponent for gender equity and pay equality in sports. She has spoken at various events and supports initiatives like ESPNW and the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Dana_Torres_mother[1] — Dara Torres hugs her daughter, Tessa Grace Torres-Hoffman after swimming in the women's 50-meter freestyle final at the US Olympic swimming trials in 2012 (AP Photo/Nati Harnik).

Dana_Torres_Olympics[1] — Dara Torres starts the women's 50-meter freestyle semifinal during the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics (AP Photo/Petr David Josek).

“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous: Be strong, be extremely kind and above all, be humble.”

Serena Williams

Sport: Tennis

Olympic Medals: 🥇🥇🥇🥇

Advocacy Beyond the Podium: Social Justice, Gender Equity, Racial Equality

Serena Williams uses her status as one of the most famous athletes in the world to support many causes and philanthropic organizations. She speaks out frequently about police brutality and supports the Black Lives Matter movement. In 2017, she wrote an op-ed calling out the gender pay gap for women and how it disproportionately impacts Black women. Williams is also a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women. She and her sister Venus also co-founded a community center in Compton in honor of their late older sister. The Yetunde Price Resource Center provides trauma-informed programming to families affected by violence in underserved communities.

Serena_Williams_Olympics[1] — Serena Williams after defeating Maria Sharapova of Russia to win the women's singles gold medal match at the 2012 London Summer Olympics (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano).

Serena_Williams_Conference[1] — Serena Williams speaks at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women, 2018 (AP Photo/Matt Rourke).

“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous: Be strong, be extremely kind and above all, be humble.”

Summer Olympic Legacies Beyond the Podium

The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics marked a historic first, with equal numbers of men and women competing across the events. The United States has sent 588 athletes, with 313 women and 269 men, continuing the trend of a female-majority team. In the same vein, many US Olympians, especially women, have used their platforms to support causes beyond sports.

From the Black Lives Matter movement to better representation and pay for women in sports, these remarkable women strive to make a positive impact in their communities and country. They deserve recognition for their excellence as both humanitarians and athletes. We can only hope they will inspire even more athletes to leverage their platforms for good.

Sources

https://olympics.com/ioc/faq/competing-and-being-part-of-the-games/how-many-athletes-and-countries-take-part-in-the-olympic-games/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_at_the_2024_Summer_Olympics/
https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/women-outnumber-men-on-london-bound-u-s-olympic-team-idUSBRE8691IE/
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/04/paris-olympics-2024-gender-parity/

About the Author

Jen Geoghegan

Writer, Entertainment and News

Jen Geoghegan is a contributing writer at The Sports Geek, focusing on entertainment, politics, and news. With a BA in English from the University of Guelph, Jen combines her writing prowess with her ever-expanding knowledge of the industry. Outside work, she enjoys outdoor activities like camping and skiing with her family.

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