These Ladies Are Already The Heroes of Olympics 2020

On July 23, 2021, the Olympic ceremonies officially began with fewer dazzling effects than usual — they were aiming to make it more somber due to an acknowledgement of the COVID-19 Pandemic. But even though the pandemic slowed the games down, there’s no slowing down these female athletes, who are some of the fiercest ever to compete for their countries. Here are the most impressive women of the Olympics 2020 that we’re rooting for all the way.

1. Momiji Niyisha

Niyisha is just 13 years old, and is the very first gold medalist in women’s street skateboarding, which is a new sport in the Olympics this year. She’s also Japan’s youngest Olympic medalist of all time. This young inspiration is breaking boundaries at the same age that we were simply trying to figure out puberty.

TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 26: Momiji Nishiya of Team Japan competes during the Women’s Street Final on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Urban Sports Park on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2. Germany gymnastics team

This whole team showed a beautiful moment of solidarity when they claimed they were fed up of being sexualized, and switched their outfits to full length unitards rather than bikini-cut leotards, pushing back against the sexualization of women in the sport. Finally, someone said it!

3. Simone Biles

After winning so many back-to-back victories, Simone Biles barely needs an intro by now. The 24-year-old is aiming to cement herself as the best gymnast of all time, and that’s a realistic goal given her accomplishments thus far. With 5 Olympic medals and 25 World Championship medals, there’s no slowing down this queen. She even fell during a routine and still earned the highest score. Biles is also discussing the importance of mental health in sports, which is often swept under the rug.

4. Naomi Osaka

There’s been no shortage of news about Osaka recently, but nothing will take away from the fact that she’s an icon in tennis. The Japanese and Haitian athlete is repping her birth country and is one of the major faces of the 2020 Olympics. She’s ranked #2 in the world and it’s her first Olympics, but with 4 grand slams under her belt, we’re not too worried about the outcome.

5. Gwen Berry

Berry made history with her fierce racial and social justice advocacy when she turned away from the US flag during the national anthem. She explained to CNN that she “will not stand for any type of symbol or song that does not stand for all people in America.” She also raised her fist on the podium at the 2019 Pan American Games.