Professional athletes of color have come a long way in showcasing their natural beauty.
From track star Sha’Carri Richardson’s over-the-top long acrylic nails to WNBA rookie Aliyah Boston’s elaborate braid colors, Black and brown athletes have become more expressive in and outside of their respective sports. As traditional beauty standards continue to be disrupted, the public acceptance of natural hair textures and protective styles remains an ongoing battle.
Black and brown athletes are taking center stage as they compete for gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics. While their extraordinary talent and undeniable skills are on public display, their hair is as well. Athletes of color, especially Black women, have been picked apart and scrutinized for how they decide to wear their hair during competitions for years. Simone Biles faced harsh criticisms about her hair despite being one the greatest athletes of all time and the most decorated gymnast. Gabby Douglas is another gymnast that was forced to deal with hurtful comments about her hair during her Olympic run in 2012.
The public’s negative response to these athletes wearing their natural hair or protective styles shows how society has a different standard of beauty when it comes to Black and brown communities. For years, assimilating to Eurocentric beauty standards has been a tool for Black individuals to blend among the masses, gain access to opportunities, and avoid being subjected to public hate.
The rise of the Natural Hair Movement and legislation such as the Crown Act have been influential in dismantling these harmful beauty standards and empowering people of color to love their natural beauty. With the Olympics being a major stage for athletes to spotlight their natural hair, Black hairstyles must remain at the forefront for them to become more normalized mainstream.
NaturallyCurly rounded up the Black and brown athletes sporting their natural hair and protective styles at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
1. Coco Gauff
Sport: Tennis
Country: USA
Image Source: @cocogauff
Coco Gauff kicked off the 2024 Paris Olympics as the first tennis player and youngest athlete to be the flag bearer for Team USA. As she carried the flag alongside LeBron James during the Opening Ceremony on Friday, she wore cornrows braided in the front, with individuals in the back that were blended with curly hair extensions.
2. Tara Davis-Woodhall
Sport: Track and Field
Country: USA
Image Source: @_taarra_
Tara Davis-Woodhall represents Team USA with waist-length individual braids as she strives to win gold in the long jump competition.
3. Lauren Scruggs
Sport: Fencing
Country: USA
Image Source: @saucyscruggs
Lauren Scruggs made history as the first Black woman to win a medal in the women’s individual foil fencing Olympic competition. She stood proudly on the podium, wearing her natural hair in a low bun, and accepted her silver medal.
4. Frederick Richard
Sport: Male Gymnastics
Country: USA
Image Source: @frederickflips
Frederick Richard wore a coiled mini afro as he scored an impressive 14.833 on the high bar during Monday’s competition.
5. Sunisa Lee
Sport: Artistic Gymnastics
Country: USA
Image Source: @sunisalee
Sunisa Lee rocked a unique hairstyle while dominating the mat with a captivating performance. Her hairstyle featured a high bun with four braids feeding into the updo.
6. Ezinne Kalu
Sport: Women’s Basketball
Country: Nigeria
Image Source: @_thenigerianqueen
Ezinne Kalu styled her locs into two ponytails as she helped lead Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team to their first Olympic win since 2004.
7. Brittney Griner
Sport: Women’s Basketball
Country: USA
Image Source: @brittneyyevettegriner
Since cutting her locs in 2022, Brittney Griner continues to show off her natural hair in a short, curly afro.
8. Simone Manuel
Sport: Freestyle Swimming
Country: USA
Image Source: @swimone
On Sunday, Simone Manuel earned her sixth Olympic medal during the women’s 4×100 meter freestyle swimming relay. As she posed with her silver medal, her high bun was also on display as she wore the natural hairstyle.
9. Ebony Morrison
Sport: Hurdling
Country: Liberia
Image Source: @elboww_knee
Ebony Morrison arrived at the 2024 Paris Olympics showcasing a big afro while representing Liberia at the Opening Ceremony.
10. Noah Lyles
Sport: Track and Field Sprinter
Country: USA
Image Source: @nojo18
Noah Lyles is the latest to join the braided bald head trend with his unique hair designs.
11. Ariana Ramsey
Sport: Women’s Rugby
Country: Team USA
Image Source: @ariana.gabrielle
Ariana Ramsey showed off her blonde individual braids at the 2024 Paris Olympics. When she first arrived, she wore a middle part. But once she hit the field, she styled them into a low braided ponytail.
12. Maria Laborde
Sport: Judo (Martial Arts)
Country: USA
Image Source: @usajudoofficial
Maria Laborde styled her hair in a curly updo before leaving it all on the mat for her judo competition on Monday.
13. Shaivonte Aician Gilgeous-Alexander
Sport: Men’s Basketball
Country: Canada
Image Source: @canadabasketball
Shaivonte Aician Gilgeous-Alexander played basketball in his signature cornrows on Saturday as his team competed against Greece.
14. Rebeca Andrade
Sport: Gymnastics
Country: Brazil
Image Source: @rebecaandrade
Rebeca Andrade added a different twist to her braids and opted for a French curl, which featured loose waves instead of the traditional straight ends.
15. Lynnzee Brown
Sport: Gymnastics
Country: Haiti
Image Source: @lynnzee17
Lynzee Brown’s short, curly hairstyle was pulled back into a bun as she made history as the first female gymnast to represent Haiti at the Olympics.
16. Morelle McCane
Sport: Women’s Boxing
Country: USA
Image Source: @million_dollar_mo
Morelle McCane wore a blonde wavy sew-in that she has styled in several ways, including in a bun and a half-up, half-down hairdo.
17. Barbra Banda
Sport: Women’s Soccer
Country: Zambia
Image Source: @barbrabandaofficial
Barbra Banda’s long dreads flew in the wind as she kicked the soccer ball down the field and scored a historic 11 goals.
18. Pauletta Foppa
Sport: Handball
Country: France
Image Source: @pauletta.sorea
Pauletta Foppa pulled her braids into a bun during the women’s handball matches on the opening weekend of the Olympic games.
19. Alyssa Thomas
Sport: Women’s Basketball
Country: USA
Image Source: @usabasketball
Alyssa Thomas kept it simple on the court and styled her hair back into a curly ponytail.
Looking for more protective hairstyle options? Check out these braided updos that are perfect all year long.