HomeWomen's MattersEssence.com: Nearly 40 Black Women Won Olympic Medals for the USA in...

Essence.com: Nearly 40 Black Women Won Olympic Medals for the USA in 2024

Published on

Olympian Women of Power and Grace

The US took home the most medals this year, with Black women competing individually responsible for 20% of women’s wins. And yes…we are still counting Jordan Chiles’ Bronze.
American women won nearly 60% of Team USA’s medals at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, and Black women helped lead the charge by a grand margin.


Despite there being an equal number of male and female competitors at this year’s Olympics in a historic move by the IOC, women generally edged out the men across nations. The United States won the most medals overall at 127 – 40 of which were gold – with 68 of said medals won in women’s events and another 6 in mixed-gender sports. Of those 68 women’s victories, 14 were secured by Black women competing individually.

PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 05: Gold medalist Rebeca Andrade (C) of Team Brazil, silver medalist Simone Biles (L) of Team United States and bronze medalist Jordan Chiles (R) of Team United States celebrate on the podium at the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Floor Exercise Medal Ceremony on day ten of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 05, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Of the group medals on the list, two were won by teams compiled exclusively of Black women, and another six were won by teams where Black women helped compete.
-Rivea Ruff, Essence.com

Latest articles

Bob Law Stood Tall on the Frontlines and Behind the Scenes, His “Clarion Call” Made News

By Nayaba ArindeThe Tall One has joined The Ancestors. Tributes have come in thick...

Forum: Immigrants are the Bargaining Chip Keeping the Government Shut Down

By Mary Alice MillerThe Brooklyn Center for Quality Life recently hosted a national online...

Study Highlights Long-term Values of Attending an HBCU

Fern GillespieSince the Reconstruction Era, Black colleges and universities have nurtured generations of Black...

Binta Vann, Family and Friends on The Reasons HBCUs Work for Us

“Mental health, like physical and spiritual health, demands balance and intentional self-care. This new...

More like this

Champions on the Ground, Anchors of the Culture

"Women’s History Month is not only about the well-known names in history books. It...

Shining Light and Sharing Stories on Black Maternal Health

The Rev. Dr. Valerie Oliver-Durrah, president and founder of the Neighborhood Technical Assistance Clinic,...

Dr. Thomasena Ellison, GYN: A Sisterhood Advocate from AKA Sorority to Women’s Healthcare

By Fern GillespieWhether it is being active in community service with the Brooklyn Links...