my top 8 most heart-warming moments of the Tokyo Olympics
by Fenella MacLennan - August 2021
Image: by Lindsey Wasson / Reuters
Yulimar Rojas takes gold & breaks world record in triple jump
Triple jumper, Yulimar Rojas, became the first woman from Venezuela to win an Olympic gold medal AND she also broke the world record, so becoming a Venezuelan hero twice over. A self-described ‘warrior’ and an LGBTQIA+ icon for her home country, she has shown that dreams really do come true, if you believe in yourself enough.
Image: Hannah Mckay, Reuters
18 year old Sunisa Lee steps up to win gold in the all-round gymnastics
Sunisa Lee made history by becoming the first Asian-American to win a gold medal when she won the all-round women’s artistic gymnastics. At only 18 years old, she has certainly made her own stamp in the world of gymnastics and at such a young age, I’m sure we have only seen the beginning of an incredible athletic career.
Image: Getty Images
Raven Saunders makes X formation to symbolise oppressed groups
When Raven Saunders won silver in the women’s shot-put final, she made an ‘X’ with her arms on the podium. As a black American, and openly queer woman, she described the formation as ‘…the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet’ to the media press afterwards. Having battled her own mental health issues following the recent death of her mother, this was surely an incredible victory for her.
Image: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Allyson Felix proves invincible in her last Olympic Games
Allyson Felix became the most decorated woman in track and field, as well as having won the most medals of any American track and field athlete. At 35 years of age, she has competed in five Olympic Games, and has now won eleven medals. Tokyo was her last Olympic appearance, and, as she ran the second-fastest 400 metre race of her life, it’s safe to say she went out with a bang.
Image: David Ramos / Getty Images
Men's fencing team wear pink masks in solidarity for sexual assault survivors
Three members of the men’s US fencing team (Hoyle, McDowald and Ramirez) wore pink masks in a sign of protest against fellow teammate (Hadzic), who is undergoing investigations of sexual assault. In so doing, they aimed to condemn the Olympic Committee’s decision to allow him to participate in the Games and stood in solidarity with sexual assault victims.
Image: Vanessa Romo / NPR
Laurel Hubbard becomes the first openly transgender athlete to compete
New Zealand’s Laurel Hubbard became the first ever openly transgender athlete to compete in an Olympic Games. Unfortunately, her Olympic dream was cut short when she was knocked out of the weightlifting rounds early on. She showed her gratitude to New Zealanders for their support in an interview, ‘…one of the things which I’m profoundly grateful for is the support in New Zealand that have just given me so much love and encouragement.’
Image: Getty Images
Tom Daley knits his way to a gold medal in the men's diving
Tom Daley’s love of knitting and crochet kept him sane throughout the Tokyo Olympics and he was often pictured by the diving pool focussed on his stitching projects. His latest ‘project’ was made to raise awareness for the Brain Tumour Charity in memory of his father. Oh, and he also won a gold medal, which he revealed, on social media, he had made a crochet sleeve for.
Image: Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images
Aussie's celebrate swimming gold in the most...Australian way
The women representing Australia in the swimming events brought home the gold, but it was the celebration of these achievements that became iconic. Kaylee McKeown described her excitement after winning the 100m backstroke in the interview with two words: ‘Fuck yeah!’. We also can’t forget Ariarne Titmus whose win against swimming star Ledecky, caused an ecstatic outburst from her coach dancing in the stands in celebration.
Image: Sydney News Today