The Paris Games may go down as the most stylish Olympics ever, with athletes playing to the TV, streaming and social media spotlights, and engaged spectators lapping it up.
Thanks to the pandemic, the last summer Olympics held in Tokyo in 2021 were without fans, and while social media was certainly around during the 2016 Rio Games, the impact was nothing compared to what’s been happening now, with more than 8.5 billion engagements, up 40 percent from Tokyo, according to Deadline.
The Paris Games have also been getting huge audiences daily on NBC and Peacock, up 80 percent from Tokyo, the entertainment site reported.
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Athletes have been drawing people in by posting behind-the-scenes videos and photos giving exposure to their sponsors. (Who can forget Italian gymnast Giorgia Villa’s parmesan photos?) As a result, they’ve become stars overnight in a way we’ve never seen before.
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American pommel horse specialist Stephen Nedoroscik, Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec and South Korean shooter Kim Yeji and Italian swimmer Thomas Ceccon have also enjoyed their moments of viral obsession.
What has made each of them standouts is yes, their athletic achievements, but also their style and personality. Nedoroscik’s Clark Kent-esque glasses became so recognizable after his performance during the team event that when NBC showed a shot of the glasses resting on the bowl of chalk days later, everyone knew who was up. Yeji shot to fame thanks to her futuristic-style shooting glasses, cooler-than-cool pose and stuffed elephant dangling from her waist (a lucky charm belonging to her young daughter) while discharging her pistol. And Dikec became a hit for securing silver with no special glasses or ear protection at all, just a simple T-shirt.
Meanwhile, stars like Simone Biles, Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson, each famous in the U.S. prior to the Games, have been shining with nail art and signature jewelry. Superstar commentator Snoop Dogg has been “Snoopin’ around” in all manner of custom gear, and celebs have been rocking red-white-and-blue in the stands.
Below, a breakout of the key style takeaways from the 2024 Paris Games.
Most deserving of his own sneaker: Noah Lyles. If winning the 100 meter sprint — by five-thousandths of a second at that — doesn’t make you deserving of your own sneaker deal, we’re not sure what would. The first American man to win the event at the Olympics in 20 years, Lyles made the race one of the most exciting (and watched) of the Games.
The 27-year-old is no stranger to fashion, currently working with stylist Kwasi Kessie. For the race, he sported patriotic nail art: earlier in the Games his nails spelled out “icon,” and for Sunday’s race he changed up the polish to red, white and blue stars, crosses and lightning blots. Completing the look was a dazzling, diamond chain-link necklace that Lyles also wore during the 2023 World Athletics Championships. He raced in a pair of Adidas Y-3 cleats, but we think it’s time he got something a little more customized.
“I want my own trainer. Ain’t no money in spikes,” he said in reference to his running shoes. “There’s money in sneakers and even Michael Johnson didn’t have his own sneaker.”
Nailed it: Sha’Carri Richardson. Standout nails have been all over these Olympic Games, from Lyes to the gymnasts Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles and Suni Lee. Even super commentator Snoop Dogg has been sporting artful talons. Yet none stands out like Richardson’s manicure. In the grand tradition of the long nails that were a trademark of three-time gold medalist Florence Griffith Joyner in the 1980s, Richardson has sported many different designs and colors over the years, but for the Paris Games kept it all-American: a red, white and blue set with designs that include an American flag.
Bling to rival a medal: Simone Biles. Biles’ outfits have been incredible this Olympics, with leotards glistening with thousands of Swarovski crystals and nodding to Wonder Woman. It is only fitting then that she added some bling to the ensemble post-competition — and nothing is more appropriate than her necklace with a diamond goat charm, a perfect reference to her “greatest of all time” moniker. The necklace was custom made for her by Calabasas-based jeweler Janet Heller, and Biles put it on right after she won. Biles didn’t stopped the glamour there: her makeup looks have included a perfectly sharp cat eye, and the shot of her reapplying a Fenty lip went viral. She’s a star and she dresses like it.
Mount Olympus-worthy hair: Thomas Ceccon. The Italian swimmer has been one of the overnight stars of the Olympic Games. Are people reacting to his athletic achievements, and the fact he blasted the conditions in the Olympics Village, and resorted to snoozing outdoors in a public park? Sure — but what’s also driving the conversation (and the thirst TikToks) is his resemblance to some kind of god. The gold medalist’s flowing locks, complete with his long swimmer’s torso and bedroom eyes, are straight off a romance novel cover.
Honorable mention goes to Suni Lee’s braided bun, which has potential to become a trend, and Lyles’ hair pearls.
Model spectator: Kendall Jenner. Ralph Lauren is the king of the American Olympic team looks, but has also proven to be the go-to for celebrity spectators. Kendall Jenner arrived at the Paris Games earlier this week dressed head-to-toe in vintage-inspired Ralph Lauren USA gear, and it’s easily one of her coolest looks yet (and, in a smart move by Lauren, all available on the brand’s website). Even just the simple cream American flag crewneck sweater, as seen on Jessica Chastain and Dr. Jill Biden, looks chic in the stands–and poised for a street style comeback.
Syncronized swagger: Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart. Snoop Dogg went viral for his commentary during the dressage event last Games, so his presence at this year’s equestrian events was hotly anticipated. His look? Striding alongside BFF Martha Stewart, they both dressed in full equestrian garb, including jodhpurs, boots, a blazer and a riding helmet. They did not disappoint.
Most memed moment: Stephen Nedoroscik. Arguably the most wholesome and heartwarming style moment of the Games has been the attention brought to American gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik. He shot to fame when he whipped off his Clark Kent glasses, which appear to be Ray-Bans, before hopping up on the pommel horse and securing a bronze medal for Team USA. Afterward, he celebrated by being picked up in the air by his teammates, raising his glasses above his head. A style legend was born — and he should never have to pay for a pair of glasses again.
Branding gold: Cynthia Erivo. The Olympic Games have had no shortage of Louis Vuitton moments, from the monogram trunks’ starring role during the opening ceremony to the presentation of each medal on an LV tray. Louis Vuitton and Dior also dressed all the top talent opening night, including Celine Dion and Algerian French rapper Rim’K. But Cynthia Erivo out diva-ed them all, bringing the “Wicked” press tour to the opening ceremony in an emerald green Louis Vuitton gown and oh-so-French-hat that were just as at home at the Games as it would be on the Paris runway.
Covetable accessory: Kim Yeji’s specs and Snoop Dogg’s smoking pin. The South Korean pistol shooter had hands-down the coolest look at the Olympics, hip popped with her black zip-up and white baseball cap framing her sci-fi looking glasses. In a different vein, Snoop Dogg’s Olympic rings as marijuana smoke rings pin made for an instant Internet classic, and the Games’ most coveted collectible. Copycats are available for sale everywhere.