Meet the sexiest athletes of the 2024 Paris Olympics
The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris is set to be “the hottest on record” — and it has nothing to do with the weather.
The world’s biggest sporting event is here, but it comes with a caveat: The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris is set to be “the warmest on record,” according to reports.
But the weather won’t be the only thing bringing the heat.
These athletes upped the ante of the sweltering forecast with their stunning looks.
Here’s everything you need to know about them.
Alica Schmidt, 25, relay runner
Paris will see Alica Schmidt shining bright – whether on the track or atop the podium – as she has been coined the “World’s Sexiest Athlete” by multiple outlets.The German native trotted to success in the mixed 4x400m relay at the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas, which qualified her for the Paris Games.During her exhilarating rise to stardom, Schmidt picked up a silver medal at the 2017 European Athletics U20 Championships in the 4x400m relay with her German squad.Adding to her resume, Schmidt is a Hugo Boss ambassador.
Schmidt has eclipsed 7.2 million followers between her Instagram and TikTok pages.
Molly Caudery, 24, pole vault
British superstar Molly Caudery is a favourite to flourish with gold at the Paris Games.
Her feats in 2024 alone comprise an indoor world championship – with a 4.80-meter jump – at the Glasgow-hosted competition before leaping to a world record.
On June 22, she cleared 4.92 meters. Not only did that set a new British record, but it also moved her to seventh in the world for highest jumps performed by women.
She regularly posts fiery Instagram photos in beachwear, dresses and more, leaving her 282,000 followers swirling in the comment section.
Natalia Kaczmarek, 26, relay runner
Polish sprinter Natalia Kaczmarek is looking for an encore from recent years ahead of the Paris Games.
Her trove of accomplishments includes a gold and silver medal from the 4x400m women’s and mixed relay at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, alongside a national record.
She soared past Irena Szewinska’s 49.29 record at the 2024 European Athletics Championships with a time of 48.98 seconds for the 400m.
She’s entering this year’s Olympics with a devoted 137,000 Instagram followers, where she frequently posts about her journey as a runner.
Alysha Newman, 30, pole vault
Alysha Newman – the Canadian veteran – will look to raise the bar at Paris 2024.
After making her inaugural appearance at Rio 2016, the 30-year-old athlete has decorated herself with accolades.
She’s a two-time Olympic pole vaulter, five-time all-American and a Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
Outside of soaring to success, Newman enjoys modelling, hot yoga, water sports and movie nights.
Lieke Klaver, 25, runner
Married to the game: That describes Dutch athlete Lieke Klaver to a tee, according to her Instagram, where she boasts 775,000 followers.
Other than representing Team Netherlands in Tokyo, the star-studded runner has secured seven major medals as a Dutch 4x400m team member.
She added her first individual medal to her portfolio in 2023 at Turkey’s European Indoor Championships.
The 25-year-old previously admitted that dealing with the social media spotlight is the toughest task to navigate as an Olympian.
Yuliya Efimova, 32, swimming
Russia’s lauded athlete, Yuliya Efimova steps into Paris with the looks, prowess for the game and a devoted fanbase.
She became the first woman to win the 200m breaststroke on three occasions at the FINA World Aquatics Championships.
The feat by itself is a mere mark of Efimova’s hefty success.
She has attained 109 medals throughout her career – including 48 golds – at Swimming World Cups.
Moreover, she emerged as the first Russian swimmer to be granted neutral status ahead of the 2024 Olympics.
Luana Alonso, 20, swimming
Luana Alonso is ready to show off her talent and somewhat new tattoo at the Paris Games.
The icon – hailing from Paraguay – showcased the ink on her Instagram with 254,000 followers.
“It’s official! Qualified for the Paris Games 2024! My heart is happy to represent the country once again,” she wrote as a part of her caption.
She has also featured her Olympics-inspired tattoo numerous times on Instagram.
Her Olympics debut was in Tokyo in 2021, but the South American Youth Games in 2022 is when she gained the admiration of many.
She walked away from Argentina’s competition with three gold medals, including a national record from the 100m butterfly.
She is still relatively new to performing on one of the biggest stages and the sport itself.
Multiple outlets reported she only started swimming at 11 years old; regardless, the youngster is eager to see success in Paris.
Katie Moon, 33, pole vault
Katie Moon was over the moon at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, as she won a precious gold medal.
However, the Ohio native is entering Paris after stating she fell into a “post-Olympic depression” as her results dipped.
More recently, she has battled Achilles tendinosis. Moon deemed the lingering injury as “obnoxious and painful.”
Due to her hardships, Moon likely has an extra chip on her shoulder.
Don’t be surprised to see the dazzling American compete with extra vigour at the Paris Games.
Sandi Morris, 32, pole vault
American record-holder Sandi Morris is up against the “worst day of her life.”
In Tokyo’s Games, while she was running, her pole hit the box and broke.
The calamity caused a hip injury that sidelined her from the competition. Despite that, she still has an abundance of experience under her belt that should come in handy.
She won a silver medal at Rio 2016 and set the U.S. Indoor Pole Vault record on March 12, 2016, at 16 feet and three inches.
Her 162,000 Instagram followers and more will follow her journey in Paris.
Additionally, her No. 1 supporter, husband and three-time Olympian Tyrone Smith, will be in her corner, providing unwavering support.
Caeleb Dressel, 27, swimming
Representing Team USA, Caeleb Dressel leaves fans saying red, white and ooh.
The 27-year-old phenom is looking sharp despite his eight-month break after missing the mark for the 2023 World Championships.
His 651,000 Instagram followers have nothing to fear, though.
He is a 13-time World Champion and holds numerous world records – 100m butterfly, 50m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 100m individual medley and a shared record in the relay event.
Among his accolades sits seven gold medals. In the Tokyo Games, Dressel left with a whopping five gold medals.
During his time away from the sport, Dressel reportedly kept 90 per cent of his eating habits healthy.
Julián Álvarez, 24, soccer
With Lionel Messi not playing in the Paris Games, it leaves much more room for Argentine soccer players to glimmer in front of the camera.
Julián Álvarez will be one of those individuals taking up the opportunity.
A poacher for Argentina, Álvarez knows how to find the back of the net. He and his crew are entering this year’s Olympics after hoisting the Copa América trophy for the 16th time.
Shockingly, the 24-year-old is taking up a senior spot on the roster.
The tournament is for Under-23 national teams, but the rules allow each team to take three players over that age to help strengthen the team.
Argentina has a very devoted fanbase, and Álvarez’s 16.5 million Instagram followers likely love Javier Mascherano’s decision to include Álvarez as a veteran.
Léon Marchand, 22, swimming
Expect to see many eyes on Léon Marchand at the Paris Games.
For one, he has the looks and style to steal the spotlight. Secondly, France hasn’t won a gold medal in swimming since London 2012.
As a five-time world champion and record holder, Marchand has what it takes to win.
In July 2023, he ended Michael Phelps’ record of 4:03.84 in the men’s 400-meter long course medley – which he had held since 2002 – with a time of 4 minutes and 2.50 seconds.
Teddy Riner, 35, Judo
History is on the horizon for French superstar Teddy Riner.
Riner already has 11 world titles in his back pocket, and he is on the cusp of tying Nomura Tadahiro’s record of three individual titles.
He rocked the Tokyo Games, where he left with gold – beating Judo’s home country.
He has the looks and moves on the mat, with a loyal 1.4 million Instagram followers supporting his every move.
He also runs The Teddy Riner Academy, where he “has his own training methods and untiring self-discipline.”
It’ll be no surprise to see his prospects – aged eight to 17 – watching him try to conquer his portion of the Paris Games.
Victor Wembanyama, 20, basketball
Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, doesn’t only display swagger on the hardwood.
France’s generational talent makes fashion statements behind the scenes: whether that’s before a game or during events and interviews.
His four million Instagram followers sometimes will see what he’s repping off the floor.
He is a staggering 7-foot-4 – the tallest competitor at the Paris Games.
Wembanyama is France’s marquee player and will likely draw more attention as the tournament progresses.
This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission