The games are on. The iconic flame, with Snoop Dogg as one of its final torchbearers, is soon to reach its final destination: the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Athletes from every corner of the globe have descended upon the City of Light, preparing for the esteemed international sporting event: the Olympics 2024.
The arrival of these athletes at the Olympic Village has been a viral sensation, with countless TikToks discussing everything from the cardboard beds to the amenities provided. The official start date of the quadrennial event is just around the corner, and the streets will soon be filled with enthusiastic fans who have also arrived to support their favorite teams and athletes.
Considering this is the first time the world’s biggest sporting event has been held in the French capital in 100 years, there’s reason to expect spectacular sartorial displays, both from the excited spectators and the competing athletes. It’s Paris, after all! And it seems like luck is already on our side. Hidden amongst the thousands of athletes in the city for the Games are a number of surprisingly recognizable faces to the fashion crowd.
While some sports already have a natural affinity with the fashion world due to their costumes, some of these names have firmly established themselves in the fashion circuit, such as NBA household name LeBron James and tennis favorite Coco Gauff. Others, like track star Sha’Carri Richardson, have been recognized for adding bold glamour to their competitive gear. Newcomers like French basketballer and league player Victor Wembanyama have also been making a splash, with recent sightings at the menswear fashion shows in Paris. Meanwhile, Japanese climber Nonaka Miho is a cool girl, gaining traction all over social media.
Below, we present a roundup of some of the most stylish athletes who are sure to bring their sartorial A-game to the Olympics in Paris.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Basketball
Find us an NBA player who loves his sport as much as he loves his fashion. You’ll chance upon Shai, the Canadian basketballer who adores his long coats, textural play, and his trusty headgear when walking through the tunnel.
2. Tom Daley, Diving
The Olympics champion needs no introduction. Considering his known obsession with crocheting (he was even caught working on his pieces poolside at the previous games in Tokyo), Daley has always had his eye on interesting textural pieces with a bit of drama.
3. Ami Yuasa, Breaking
With breaking recognized as an Olympic sport this year, it’s no surprise that there are a number of breaking stars on this list, simply due to the performative nature of the dance form. Like Japanese standout Ami Yuasa, whose streetwear-led wardrobe boasts a range of baggy layers, a formidable variety of comfy sneakers, and plenty of headwear, from beanies to the crochet hats she makes for herself.
4. Tiffany Hayes, Basketball
A clear NBA tunnel favorite. The basketballer who is representing her country Azerbaijan at the Olympics has a clear knack for creating tonal silhouettes led by a singular color palette. Layers and directional accessories often accent her look.
5. Miles Chamley-Watson, Fencing
Off the piste, the Olympic medalist isn’t one to shy away from a good fashion moment. Between regular NYFW appearances and even walking the runway for some, the American fencer loves a little theatre in his outfits, be it in a splashy print, some sublime tailoring, or an off-kilter cut.
6. Nonaka Miho, Climbing
Over the past few weeks, Nonaka Miho has been gaining traction for videos of her climbing practice prior to the Olympics. The Japanese climber, who is known to change her hair color before every big competition, understands the draw of a good outfit and doles out a range of sporty casual outfits that are often dedicated to complementing her chameleon mane.
7. Stephen Curry, Basketball
The NBA MVP is now considered ace even beyond the court. In the famed tunnels and out on the streets, his already clean, minimalist style has been tastefully elevated with smidges of textures and polished fabrics in the past year—courtesy of stylist Jason Bolden.
8. Jeon Ji-ye, Breaking
South Korean break star Jeon Ji-ye certainly understands how the world of sport can meld with fashion. Between monochromatic outfits and her array of performance-ready ensembles that prioritize comfort, Jeon’s got a definite hold on how to style her myriad of athleisure separates and track sets.
9. Simone Biles, Artistic Gymnastics
Everyone knows one of Simone Biles’s favorite things to do when she’s off-duty is being in the stands to support her husband and NFL player Jonathan Owens during his games. Her courtside fashion certainly is a picture-perfect reflection of her dedication, as she often color-coordinates her looks, and aces the brief of mixing her jerseys into her fem-coded ensembles.
10. Bertrand Rhodict, Diving
The Malaysian diver is making a splash and doing his country proud over in the City of Light, but let’s hope Paris also brings forth more fit checks from the athlete, who demonstrates a clear preference for casual streetwear ensembles that keep him cool and comfy in our parts of the world.
11. Sha’Carri Richardson, Athletics
From those impeccable manicures to her madcap track ensembles, American track star Sha’Carri Richardson knows a thing or two about making the track her runway.
12. Coco Gauff, Tennis
Long before tenniscore took off, there was already Coco Gauff. A grand claim to make, considering the American tennis star is only 20. But that’s never stopped her from mixing in her sartorial leanings into her court fashion—including her very recognizable collaboration with New Balance.
13. Shigekix, Breaking
A baseball cap, some reliable denim separates, and a statement outerwear pick. Those are just some of the style codes for Japanese break star Shikegix.
14. Alica Schmidt, Athletics
The German sprinter has not only had her runway debut at the Boss fall/winter 202 show but she also takes extra joy in showing off her fit form in a mish-mash of tailored ensembles, chic minis, and sporty jackets during her off-duty hours.
15. Victor Wembanyama, Basketball
This may be Victor Wembanyama’s first Olympics, but the French league player is already a familiar face in the NBA circuit. His towering height surely does him favors when he’s clad in a tailored fit—and it showed when Wembanyama was a front-row attendee at the recent Louis Vuitton menswear show in Paris.
16. Melanie De Jesus Dos Santos, Artistic Gymnastics
Co-ords have always been the way to go for Melanie De Jesus. Ahead of the Games, the French gymnast has also been chosen as a Dior ambassador, and is likely to be dressed by the luxury house for her routine.
17. LeBron James, Basketball
A legend in his own league, LeBron James—with his luxury fashion credentials and sportshouse collaborations—is the epitome of where streetwear meets the upper echelons of society.
