The Olympic Games Paris 2024 is in full swing. Along with the medal count, people are trying to keep track of some of the hottest female athletes at the highly hyped international sports event. From swimmers and pole vaulters to basketball phenoms, these “genetically blessed”—in the words of the Daily Mail—women are gaining attention for more than just their athletic abilities.
Luana Alonso, a Paraguayan swimmer, is a student at the University of Texas. Spending hours in the pool every day helps the breaststroker keep her curves in check. Just two and a half hours per week of aerobic physical activity, such as swimming, bicycling, or running, can decrease the risk of chronic illnesses, says the CDC. In addition to the many physical benefits, there are multiple studies supporting the mental health benefits of swimming as well.
Alica Schmidt, a German track star, is often dubbed the “world’s sexiest athlete.” Clearly a big part of Alica’s stay-fit routine is by doing a lot of running, which, per the Mayo Clinic, is great for cardiovascular health, muscle building, and weight loss. “For every mile run, the average person will burn approximately 100 calories,” they say. She also works out in a gym doing battle ropes, kettlebell exercises, working out with a medicine ball, or lifting weights.
Alysha Newman of Canada is a pole vault star who is very active on social meida. She follows a (mostly) clean eating diet. “It’s extremely important to put the proper nutrients in your body, especially during long, hard, and critical practices,” she told Bodybuilding.com. “If you don’t eat right, it’s like putting cheap gas in your car. Yeah, it’ll drive, but not as well as it should. Our bodies are the same way.” She also avoids trendy diets. “I’ve experimented over the years to understand which foods work best for me personally. Everyone’s body reacts differently to food so you can’t just pull a pre-made diet off the shelf. You need to learn what’s right for you.”
In addition to track, Molly Caudery, a pole vaulter from the UK, enjoys Pilates. In an Instagram video, she shows off her Pilates moves on a reformer. According to the Mayo Clinic there are lots of benefits to Pilates, as it “strengthens the body’s inner core while increasing its flexibility resulting in improved overall health. It can also promote longer, leaner muscles, injury prevention, relief from stress and back pain, enhanced athletic performance, and heightened mind-body awareness.
Hailey Van Lith has made a name for herself in NCAA women’s basketball playing for teams like Louisville, LSA, and Southern Methodist University. Now the gorgeous blonde is taking on the world with her first appearance at the Olympics. Hailey is a “pescetarian now,” she revealed in a video. She eats “just fish and eggs” and “no chicken, no red meat,” she said. “I eat dairy products, but not animals.” She also dished to ESPN that she has a hobby in the kitchen – she is “addicted” to baking shows. “I’m a little baker,” she said. “I watch all the shows.