From Manu Bhaker to Katie Ledecky: Women who created history at the 2024 Paris Olympics

The 2024 Paris Olympics witnessed spectacular victories and heartbreaking losses, but that's sports for you— you win some, you lose some. What's commendable is the skill, finesse, and sportsmanship the athletes have shown throughout these quadrennial games. New records have been set, breaking the old ones, keeping the spirit of sport alive. While both men and women athletes have performed admirably this season, the women have made especially commendable progress, not only by winning medals but also by achieving historic 'firsts.' From being excluded from participation in the first games in 1896 to breaking records and achieving gender parity in 28 out of 32 sports now, women have come a long way. This occasion deserves celebration as women are finally receiving the recognition they have long deserved. Here is a list of 10 times women athletes achieved historic firsts at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Manu Bhaker, a 22-year-old shooter became the first woman from India to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics. Manu won two bronze medals for her country in shooting—one in the women's 10m air pistol event and another in the mixed 10m air pistol event alongside Sarabjot Singh.

In the women's Floor Exercise Finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, history was made when Brazil's Rebeca Andrade, who won gold, was joined by Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, who took silver and bronze respectively—making it the first all-Black gymnastics podium in history. This is significant in a sport still predominantly represented by White athletes.

Cindy Ngamba became the first athlete to win a medal for the IOC Refugee team, earning a bronze in the women's boxing 75kg class on August 8, 2024. The IOC Refugee team represents millions of people who have been forcibly displaced and now live as refugees in host countries.

Image Courtesy: Reuters

Katie Ledecky, the star American swimmer, made history by winning her ninth Olympic gold medal, defeating Ariarne Titmus of Australia in the 800-meter freestyle. With this win, Ledecky became the most decorated American female Olympian in history.

Image Courtesy: Instagram/@katieledecky

In the women’s triple jump, Thea LaFond earned a gold medal with a record jump of 15.02 meters, making this the first-ever medal for the Caribbean island nation of Dominica. After her win, Thea said, "Being Dominican is an honour."

Qinwen Zheng made history by not only winning China's first-ever Olympic medal in tennis but also by becoming the first Asian tennis player to win an Olympic gold in singles. She achieved this feat by defeating Donna Vekic of Crotia by 6-2, 6-3.
Image Courtesy: Reuters

Kaylia Nemour, who was born in France, won a gold medal in gymnastics while representing Algeria, her father’s home country. This marked Algeria's first-ever gold medal in gymnastics and made Nemour, Algeria's sixth Olympic champion.

In the final of Women’s Trap, Adriana Ruano Oliva won Guatemala’s first-ever Olympic gold medal. This is Guatemala’s second Olympic medal in history, with the first being won this year as well by Jean Pierre Brol Cardenas, who earned bronze in the men’s trap final.
Image Courtesy: Instagram/@adrianaruano95

St. Lucia finally secured its first Olympic medals, thanks to Julien Alfred, who won a silver in the 200-meter race and a gold in the 100-meter race. From a young age, Julien dreamed of running like her idol, Usain Bolt.

Image Courtesy: Instagram/@julien.alfred