An Article by Jordan Guard, Women's Sports Alliance Founder.
When you stand on that podium, clutching an Olympic Gold medal, you hold in your hands the culmination of years of relentless hard work, sacrifice, and an unyielding belief in your dream. As someone who has had the privilege of working closely with many remarkable female athletes, I know that this moment is more than just a victory in sport; it’s a moment that can redefine your life in ways that you may not yet fully comprehend.
Winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games is arguably the most prestigious achievement in sport for any athlete. Out of the 328 gold medals awarded at the Games, 161 events saw female athletes rise to the top and take a gold medal (including mixed gendered events). For these female athletes, the victory goes far beyond the podium as it profoundly impacts their financial status, personal brand, commercial demands, and media presence. However, along with these benefits come challenges that require careful navigation to maintain their newfound status.
Image courtesy of The Associated Press.
The Journey to Gold: A Lifelong Commitment
The path to winning an Olympic gold medal is a long and brutal one. Athletes dedicate four years, often their entire lives in fact, to intense training, rigorous competition schedules, and unwavering focus on their goal. They invest in every aspect of their preparation; physical conditioning, mental resilience, technical skills, performing under pressure and sponsorship to fund their training. The dream of standing on the podium drives them through grueling days, injuries, and harsh sacrifices.
For many athletes, just qualifying for the Olympics is a significant achievement. But for those who aim for the podium, the stakes are even higher. Only a small minority manage to secure a medal, and even fewer achieve the ultimate prize, Olympic Gold. This elite group of female athletes, through their extraordinary dedication and talent, earn a place in history and gain a platform that can transform their lives.
Image courtesy of Mike Egerton.
Gold Medal Winning Female Athletes at Paris 2024
At Paris 2024, there were 100 female athletes that won a gold medal. We have compiled a list of all female athlete Gold medalists at the foot of this article.
The Status and Pressure of an Olympic Gold Medalist
When a female athlete wins an Olympic Gold medal, she is immediately elevated to the status of a national hero. She becomes a symbol of excellence, perseverance, and pride for her country. The impact of her victory resonates with people from all walks of life. However, with this victory comes a new kind of pressure.
As an Olympic champion, she is now seen as the epitome of success in her field. This comes with the expectation that she will continue to perform at this exceptional level, not just in the next competition but for the next four years until the next Olympic Games. The label of “untouchable” is both a privilege and a burden. It means she has reached the pinnacle of her sport, but it also means that she is now the benchmark against which all others will be measured.
Impact on Personal Brand
Winning an Olympic Gold medal significantly boosts a female athlete’s personal brand. Overnight, she becomes a household name. People across the nation, and often the world, will know her name, her story, and her achievements. They feel a connection to her, having witnessed her triumph on the global stage. This connection is powerful, creating a strong and loyal fan base that is deeply invested in her journey.
Image courtesy of Getty Images.
Impact on Commercial Activity
The success and visibility that come with an Olympic Gold medal make her an attractive prospect for new brands and sponsors. Commercial partners are eager to associate themselves with her journey to the highest accolade in sport. Endorsement deals, sponsorships, and advertising campaigns can bring substantial financial rewards, providing her with the resources to further her career and secure her future but can also be time consuming and can thrust the athlete into a life of relentless media attention that comes with no privacy.
For the Partners that were already on board, prior to the Olympics, they will be maximising their investment with post-Olympic activations and story-telling pieces with the Gold medal winning athlete to further associate. Athletes should use these opportunities wisely to continue pushing her personal brand out to the world but she should input into the creative direction of these campaigns to ensure her authenticity and credibility remains true.
Financial Reward
In addition to these commercial opportunities, this year has seen a groundbreaking shift in how athletes are financially rewarded for their achievements at the Olympic Games. Some sports federations and national governments have introduced significant cash prizes for medal winners for the first time ever.
World Athletics announced that Olympic Gold medalists in track and field events will receive a reward of $50,000, while the International Boxing Association is offering a substantial $100,000 to Gold medalists. These incentives provide not only financial security but also recognition of the immense effort required to reach the top of the podium.
Beyond these federation incentives, several countries have also agreed to pay bonuses to athletes who bring home medals. For instance, Team GB athletes are set to earn £39,400 for winning a gold medal at Paris 2024. Some countries are offering even more substantial rewards. In Hong Kong, the gold medalist at the Paris Olympics will receive one of the largest cash rewards on offer, HK$6 million (over $750,000), as part of the city’s Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme.
Singapore, through its Major Games Award Programme, offers S$1 million (over $700,000) for individual winners, S$1.5 million for winners of team events (like athletics relays or tennis doubles), and S$2 million for winners of team sports (like basketball or soccer). The program also rewards silver and bronze medalists with 50% and 25% of these amounts, respectively. Similarly, Taiwan’s Olympic Gold medalists receive NT$20 million (over $600,000) along with a lifetime monthly stipend of NT$125,000 (about $4,000) under a government medal program.
In India, Olympic gold medalists receive 7.5 million rupees (about $90,000) from the government, with an additional reward of 10 million rupees (about $120,000) from the Indian Olympic Association. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s Operation Gold program also rewards Olympic champions with $37,500, while silver and bronze medalists receive $22,500 and $15,000, respectively.
These financial rewards not only offer immediate monetary benefits but also enhance the athlete’s long-term financial stability, allowing them to invest in their future, pursue further training, or even venture into new career paths once their competitive days are over.
Image courtesy of Getty Images.
Social Media Presence
Additionally, the Gold medal winner’s presence on social media will likely see a significant boost. A surge in followers translates to greater influence, giving her a platform to share her thoughts, promote causes, and engage with her audience. This newfound influence allows her to inspire others, particularly the younger generation who look up to her as a role model. The ability to inspire is a unique and powerful outcome of her Olympic victory.
By capitalising on these opportunities, a gold medal-winning female athlete can build a brand that extends beyond her athletic career, ensuring that her influence and impact endure long after the Olympic flame is extinguished.
The Reality of Olympic Gold: New Challenges Ahead
Despite the numerous benefits, winning a gold medal also brings challenges. The influx of commercial opportunities can be overwhelming, and the athlete must be discerning about the partnerships she chooses. It is crucial that she aligns with brands that reflect her values and enhance her image. The wrong partnership (or too many partnerships) could dilute her brand or create conflicts that could harm her reputation.
Balancing these commercial commitments with ongoing training, media appearances, and personal life requires careful management. The pressure to maintain her status in the public eye can be intense, and without proper support, it can lead to burnout or a decline in sports performance. She must ensure that her training remains a priority, even as she navigates the demands of her new role as a national or global public figure.
The Very Real ‘Post-Olympic Blues’
In addition to these external pressures, many Gold medal-winning athletes face a more internal and emotional challenge: the “Olympic Blues.” After the incredible high of winning a gold medal, it’s common for athletes to experience a profound sense of emptiness. The moment they’ve been working toward for a lifetime has passed, and they might fear that the best day of their life is now behind them. The euphoria of standing on the podium and the realisation that they may never again experience that exact feeling can be overwhelming.
This emotional crash can leave the athlete feeling lost and unfulfilled, as they grapple with the question, “What now?” The fear of never being able to replicate the Olympic Gold medal-winning moment can create an overwhelming sense of pressure and anxiety. Athletes often find themselves chasing that feeling, struggling to find meaning and purpose in their lives beyond that singular achievement.
To combat the Olympic Blues, it’s essential for the athlete to take time after the Games to reflect and take a step back from the intensity of their own thoughts. It’s important for them to focus on the aspects of life that bring them joy and fulfillment beyond their sport, whether that’s spending time with loved ones, exploring new interests, or giving back to their community. By re-centering themselves and finding balance, they can move forward in a healthy and positive way, ensuring that their Olympic triumph becomes a foundation for future happiness rather than a peak that casts a shadow over everything that follows.
Image courtesy of Getty Images.
The Fight to Stay Relevant
To stay relevant beyond the immediate aftermath of the Olympics, the athlete must rely on the long-term commitment of her commercial partners and media presence. Without continued visibility, there is a risk that she could fade from the public’s memory once the Olympic excitement subsides. Strategic planning is essential to maintain her place in the spotlight and to build a legacy that endures long after the Games.
A Last Word
Winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games is a life-changing achievement. For a female athlete, it elevates her personal brand, opens up lucrative commercial opportunities, and enhances her media presence. However, with these rewards come significant challenges that must be carefully managed to maximise her success. The impact of winning gold extends far beyond the podium, shaping her future in profound ways. As an Olympic champion, she now has the opportunity to inspire, influence, and create a legacy that will last for generations.
All 328 Gold Medals Won By Female Athletes
Research findings courtesy of Women's Sports Alliance.
1 | DMA | Triple Jump | Thea Lafond |
1 | GUA | Trap Shooting | Adriana Ruano Oliva |
1 | DOM | 400m | Marileidy Paulino |
1 | LCA | 100m | Julien Alfred |
1 | CHI | Skeet Shooting | Francisca Crovetto Chadid |
1 | SUI | 50m Rifle 3 | Chiara Leone |
1 | THA | -49kg Taekwondo | Panirak Wongpattanakit |
1 | RSA | 100m Breaststroke | Tatjana Smith |
1 | POL | Speed Climbing | Aleksandra Miroslaw |
2 | ALG | Uneven Bars 66kg Boxing | Kaylia Nemour Imane Khelif |
1 | HKG | Épée Fencing | Vivian Kong Man Wai |
1 | AUT | Mixed Dinghy Sailing | Lara Vadlau |
1 | TPE | 57kg Boxing | Lin Yu Ting |
2 | SLO | -63kg Judo Boulder & Lead Climbing | Andreja Leski Janja Garnbret |
1 | BRN | 3,000m Steeplechase | Winfred Yavi |
1 | CRO | -70kg Judo | Barbara Matić |
1 | SRB | 10m Mixed Air Pistol | Zorana Arunović |
1 | BEL | Heptathlon | Nafissatou Thiam |
1 | ROU | 8 Rowing | Victoria Stefania Petreanu Simona Radis Ioana Vrinceanu Amalia Beres Adriana Adam Maria Lehaci Ancuka Bodnar Roxana Anghel Maria Magdelena Rusk |
2 | UKR | High Jump Fencing Sabre | Yaroslava Mahuchikh Olga Kharlan Alina Komashchuk Olena Kravatska Yuliia Bakastova |
2 | BRA | Floor Beach Volleyball 78kg Judo | Rebeca Andrada Ana Patricia Silva Ramos Eduarda Santos Lisboa Beatriz Souza |
1 | IRL | 60kg Boxing | Kellie Harrington |
2 | NOR | Handball 81kg Weightlifting | Veronica Kristiansen Maren Aardahl Stine Skogrand Nora Moerk Stine Bredal Oftedal Silje Solberg-Oesthasiel Kari Brattset Dale Kristine Breistoel Vilde Ingstad Katrine Lunde Marit Jacobsen Camilla Herrem Sanna Solberg-Isaksen Henny Reistad Thale Rushfeldt Deila Solfrid Eila Amena Koanda |
3 | KEN | 1,500m 5,000m 10,000m | Faith Kipyegon Beatrice Chebet Beatrice Chebet |
2 | SWE | 50m Freestyle 100m Freestyle | Sarah Sjoestroem Sarah Sjoestroem |
2 | ESP | Marathon Walk Relay Mixed Water Polo | Maria Perez Laura Ester Ramos Isabel Piralkova Coello Anni Espar Llaquet Bea Ortiz Nona Perez Vavas Paula Crespi Barriga Elena Ruiz Barril Pili Pena Judith Forca Ariza Paula Camus Maica Gorcia Godoy Paula Leiton Arrones Martina Terre |
2 | HUN | Modern Pentathlon -67kg Taekwondo | Michelle Gulyas Viviana Marton |
1 | UZB | -52kg Judo | Diyora Keldiyorova |
6 | CAN | Hammer Canoe Sprint 200m -57kg Judo 200m Butterfly 200m Ind. Medley 400m Ind. Medley | Camryn Rogers Katie Vincent Christa Degvchi Summer McIntosh Summer McIntosh Summer McIntosh |
8 | NZL | Kayak 500m Single Kayak 500m Double Kayak Four 400m Cycle Track Sprint Cycle Track Keirin Golf Ind. Stroke Play Rowing Double Sculls Rugby 7’s | Lisa Carrington Lisa Carrington Alicia Hoskin Lisa Carrington Alicia Hoskin Olivia Brett Tara Vaughan Ellesse Andrews Ellesse Andrews Lydia Ko Brooke Francis Lucy Spoors Risi Pouri-Lane Jorja Miller Stacey Waaka Manaia Nuku Sarah Hirini Michaela Blyde Tyla King Mahina Paul Jazmin Felix-Hotham Theresa Setefano Portia Woodman-Wickliffe Alena Saili |
6 | GER | 3x3 Basketball Shotput Dressage Ind. Dressage Team Rhythmic Ind. All Around Triathlon Mixed Relay | Svenja Brunckhorst Sonja Greinacher Marie Reichert Yemisi Ogunleye Jessica von Bredow-Werndl Jessica von Bredow-Werndl Isabell Werth Darja Varfolomeer Lisa Tertsch Laura Lindemann |
9 | ITA | Artistic Balance Beam Cycle Track Madison Fencing Épée Team -78kg Judo Windsurfing Sailing Mixed Multihull Shooting Skeet Mixed Tennis Doubles Volleyball | Alice D’amato Vittoria Guzzini Chiara Consonni Rossella Fiamongo Guilia Rizzi Alberta Santuccio Mara Navarria Alice Bellandi Marta Maggetti Caterina Marianna Banti Caterina Marianna Banti Diana Bacosi Sara Errani Jasmine Paolini Carlotta Cambi Monica de Gennaro Alessia Orro Caterina Chiara Bosetti Anna Danesi Myriam Fatimi Sylla Paola Ogechi Egonse Sarah Luisa Fahr Ekaterina Antropova Gaia Giovannini Marina Lubian Oghosasere Loveth Omoruyi |
8 | KOR | Archery Archery Team Archery Mixed Badminton 10m Air Rifle 10m Air Pistol 25m Pistol -57kg Taekwondo | Sihyeon Lim Hunyoung Jeon Sihyeon Lim Suhyeon Nam Sihyeon Lim Se Young An Hyojin Ban Ye Jin Oh Jiin Yang Yujin Kim |
8 | GBR | 800m Cycling Track Team Sprint Equestrian Eventing Team Rowing Lightweight Double Sculls Rowing Quadruple Sculls Sailing Kite Trampoline | Keely Hodgkinson Katy Marchant Emma Finucane Sophie Capewell Lowri Thomas Laura Collett Rosalind Canter Yasmin Ingham Emily Craig Imogen Grant Lauren Henry Hannah Scatt Lola Anderson Georgina Brayshaw Eleanor Aldridge Bryony Page |
9 | NED | Marathon 4 x 400m Relay Mixed Hockey 10km Rowing Pair Rowing Four Rowing Single Sculls Sailing Dinghy Sailing Skiff | Sifan Hassan Femke Bol Lieke Klaver Catherijn Peeters Anne Veenendaal Luna Noa Fokke Freeke Moes Lisa Post Xan de Waard Yibbi Jansen Renee van Laarhoven Felice Albers Maria Verschoor Sanne Koolen Frederique Matla Joosje Burg Marleen Jochems Pien Sanders Marijn Veen Laura Nunnink Pien Dicke Sharon van Rouwendaal Ymkje Clevering Veronique Meester Marloes Oldenburg Hermijntje Drenth Tinka Offereins Brenthe Boonstra Karolien Florijn Marit Bouwmeester Odile van Aanholt Annette Duetz |
5 | FRA | Cycling x Country Fencing Sabre Ind. Judo Mixed Team +67kg Taekwondo Triathlon | Pauline Ferrand Prevot Manon Apithy-Brunet Shirine Boukli Sarah Leonie Cysique Clarisse Agbegnenou Marie Eve Grahie Romane Dicko Madeleine Malonga Althea Laurin Cassandre Beaugrand |
13 | AUS | Pole Vault Kayak Single Canoe Single Kayak Cross BMX Cycling Road Ind. Time Trial Skateboard Park Swimming 200m Free Swimming 400m Free Swimming 100m Back Swimming 200 Back Swimming 4 x 100m Free Relay Swimming 4 x 200m Free Relay | Nina Kennedy Jessica Fox Jessica Fox Noemie Fox Saya Sakakibara Grace Brown Arisa Trew Mollie O’Callaghan Ariarne Titmus Kaylee McKeown Kaylee McKeown Olivia Wunsch Bronte Campbell Meg Harris Emma McKeon Shayna Jack Mollie O’Callaghan Lani Pallister Jamie Perkins Brianna Throssell Shayna Jack Mollie O’Callaghan Ariarne Titmus |
8 | JPN | Javelin Breaking -48kg Judo Skateboard Street Wrestling Freestyle 53kg Wrestling Freestyle 57kg Wrestling Freestyle 62kg Wrestling Freestyle 76kg | Haruka Kitaguchi Ami Natsumi Tsunoda Coco Yoshizawa Akari Fujinami Tsugumi Sakurai Sakura Motoki Yuka Kagami |
22 | CHN | Artistic Swimming Duet 20km Race Walk Badminton Doubles Badminton Mixed Doubles Boxing 50kg Boxing 54kg Boxing 75kg Canoe Sprint 500m Double Cycling BMX Park Diving 3m Springboard Diving 10m Platform Diving 3m Syncro. Diving 10 Syncro. Rhythmic Gymnastics All Around Shooting 10m Air Rifle Mixed Table Tennis Table Tennis Mixed Table Tennis Team Tennis Weightlifting 49kg Weightlifting 59kg Weightlifting +81kg | Liuyi Wang Qianyi Wang Jiayu Yang Qing Chen Chen Yi Fan Jia Ya Quong Huang Yu Wu Yuan Chang Qian Li Shixiao Xu Mengya Sun Yawen Deng Yiwen Chen Hongchan Quan Yani Chnag Yiwen Chen Yuxi Chen Hoagchan Quan Xinyi Ding Qiqi Gruo Ting Hao Zhangjiayang Huang Lanjing Wang Yuting Hwang Meng Chen Yingsha Sun Meng Chen Yingsha Sun Manyu Wang Qinwen Zheng Zhihui Hou Shifang Luo Wenwen Li |
27 | USA | Artistic Gymnastics Team Gymnastics All Around Gymnastics Vault 200m 100m Hurdles 400m Hurdles Long Jump Discuss 4 x 100m Relay 4 x 400m Relay Basketball Cycling Road Race Cycling Track Team Pursuit Cycling Track Omnium Fencing Foil Ind. Fencing Foil Team Football/Soccer Surfing Swimming 800m Free Swimming 1,500m Free 200m Breaststroke 100m Butterfly 4 x 100m Medley Relay Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay Weightlifting 71kg Wrestling Freestyle 50kg Wrestling Freestyle 68kg | Simone Biles Jade Carey Jordan Chiles Sunisa Lee Hezly Rivera Simone Biles Simone Biles Gabrielle Thomas Masai Russell Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Tara Davis-Woodhall Valarie Allman Tamari Davis Aleia Hobbs Melissa Jefferson Sha’carri Richardson Twanisha Terry Gabriella Thomas Kaylyn Brown Aaliya Butler Kendall Ellis Quanera Hayes Akexis Holmes Shamier Little Jewell Loyd Kelsey Plum Sabrina Ionescu Kahleah Copper Chelsea Gray A’ja Wilson Breanna Stewart Naphaesa Collier Diana Taurasi Jackie Young Alyssa Thomas Brittney Griner Kristen Faulkner Olivia Cummins Emily Ehrlich Kristen Faulkner Jennifer Valente Lily Williams Chloe Dygert Jennifer Valente Lee Kiefer Lauren Scruggs Lee Kiefer Jacqueline Dubrovich Maia Mei Weintraub Alyssa Naeher Emily Fox Korbin Albert Naomi Girma Trinity Rodman Casey Krueger Crystal Dunn Lynn Willaims Mallory Swanson Lindsey Horan Sophia Smith Tierna Davidson Jenna Nighswonger Emily Sonnett Jaedyn Shaw Rose Lavelle Samantha Coffey Casey Murphy Croix Bethune Emily Sams Caroline Marks Katie Ledecky Katie Ledecky Kate Douglas Torri Huske Katherine Berkoff Emma Weber Alex Shackell Katie Douglas Torri Huske Lilly King Regan Smith Gretchen Walsh Regan Smith Abbey Weitzeil Torri Huske Gretchen Walsh Olivia Reeves Sarah Ann Hildebrandt Emit Elor |
Total Events Where Women Medalled (Including Mixed Events) | = 161 / 328 |