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Pulses are racing in Paris – and not because of the high-intensity exercise.
A string of impressive athletes in their prime are causing quite a stir among the audiences at the 2024 Olympics as they show off their incredible talent – and their incredible physiques.
In recent days viewers have been left hot under the collar by male divers wearing tiny swimming trunks as they somersault and twist off the diving board and into the pool.
And elsewhere in the pool, formidable female swimmers are also causing a stir as people watching at home are left in awe of their talent – and their good looks.
They’re the fittest people in the world and at the top of their game as they compete for glory – but who will win gold for lucrative modelling contracts at the end of the tournament?
Here, FEMAIL reveals the Paris 2024 Olympics hot list – with athletes all around the world winning thousands of new fans…
WOMEN
1. Dina Asher-Smith (GB)
Team GB’s biggest star, Dina Asher-Smith, is going for gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics after regaining her form earlier this year in Rome
The glamorous sprinter, 28, from Orpington in Bromley, often shows off her stunning physique and infectious smile in Instagram snaps
Hailing from Orpington in Bromley, 28-year-old Dina Asher-Smith is hoping to add to her collection of gold medals as she competes in the women’s 100m and 200m races.
The athlete, who went through a bad run of form last year, achieved glory in Rome last month at the European Championships as she stormed to glory in the 100m and claimed gold.
Following the race she said: ‘That’s not normally my style of race, but I didn’t panic in my running, even if my head was a different story.
‘I really wanted to come here and win and showcase what we are working on. I’m just really happy.’
She posted a selfie holding two gold medals at the end of the championships on Instagram, with the caption: ‘Grazie Roma.’
Off the track, Dina also frequently models for sports brands and fashion designers – most recently donning a stunning snake-print coat for a Nike campaign.
And she gives fans glimpses into her down-time as well, sharing dreamy snaps of her beach antics while she rests in between travelling around the world, competing and training.
2. Luana Alonso (Paraguay)
Luana Alonso set pulses racing when she took to the pool to compete in the 100m women’s butterfly event in Paris
After making a splash with viewers and coming sixth in the heats, Luana, from Paraguay, announced she was retiring from swimming
She’s just 20 years old, but after competing at two Olympic Games (and sending viewers wild with her luscious blonde locks and athletic figure), Luana Alonso has announced she’s retiring after this tournament.
The Paraguayan swimmer announced her retirement on Instagram after coming sixth in the heats for the women’s 100m Butterfly.
She said: ‘It’s official now! I’m retiring from swimming, thank you all so much for the support! Sorry Paraguay, I only have to thank you!’
After the race, the 20-year-old teared up as she took part in an interview with Claro Sports. She she opened up further on her decision to retire stating that she was ‘happy’ to be ending her professional career at the Olympics.
‘I am very emotional because it was my last race. I am retiring from swimming. I have been swimming for so long, 18 years, and I have so many feelings,’ she told South American broadcaster Claro Sports after the event.
3. Alica Schmidt (Germany)
Alica Schmidt, 25, from Germany, has been hailed ‘the world’s sexiest athlete’ as fans fall for her blonde hair and blue eyes
The athlete has more than 2 million followers on TikTok and has brushed shoulders with some other very famous faces in the world of sport
Alica Schmidt, a track star from Germany, has already been dubbed ‘the world’s sexiest athlete’ after going viral around the world.
The blonde-haired beauty now has an enormous following on social media – and her fans are willing her to win as she takes to the track in the 4X400m relay.
Sharing experiences from her life in the world of athletics, in addition to collaborations with fashion brands and appearances at glitzy events, Schmidt has gained more than 5 million followers on Instagram and 2m on TikTok.
Schmidt’s lifestyle has allowed her to travel around the world and has spent time with some of the biggest names in the world of sports.
In the past, she has crossed paths with Brazilian footballer Neymar, Bayern Munich defenfer Lucas Hernandez – and she’s even beaten Man City’s Erling Haaland in a race.
Earlier this year she revealed that, despite her various successes in athletics and a massive following online, her main salary comes from a German sports foundation and works out at just £600 (€700) a month.
But despite that modest base salary, Schmidt has spoken out about turning down a lucrative endorsement from a ‘well known’ company, saying she has to be ‘100 per cent behind’ a brand before signing up to it.
4. Sunisa Lee (US)
‘I love competing with other athletes and for my country,’ gymnast Suni Lee said in the ad
Sunisa (Suni) Lee is one of the US Gymnastics’ team’s top stars, having won gold at the women’s all around event at the Toyko 2020 Olympics.
The glamorous gymnast, who captivates audiences when she takes to the floor, has overcome enormous hurdles in order to make it to her second Olympic Games.
Just over a year ago, she was diagnosed with an incurable kidney disease – something with which she has been grappling ever since.
The Olympic champion first noticed swelling symptoms which eventually increased to the point she gained 40 pounds, before testing and an eventual kidney biopsy diagnosed her with the disease.
Sunisa (Suni) Lee has come back from illness to compete in Paris 2024
The gymnast realised something was wrong when she gained around 40 lbs in weight before she was diagnosed with a kidney disease
She was forced to opt out of USA’s World Championship team last year as a result of the challenges of competing while on medication.
However, in January of this year she received some good news from her doctor, who called to tell her that the medication was working and that she would be able to compete in this summer’s Olympics.
‘We have it under control now,’ Lee recently said. ‘We know what to do and the right medication to take.’
Despite experiencing a tough time in her personal life, fans are no doubt thrilled to see Suni is back on top form – and glamorous as ever while she does it.
She has even made the prestigious SKIMS campaign for Kim Kardashian‘s brand – stunning as she leapt through the air with the American flag in her arms.
5. Apsara Sakbun (Cambodia)
Apsara Sakbun, born and raised in Indiana, has revealed her pride at being selected to swim for Cambodia in the Paris 2024 Olympics
The swimmer, 23, said she was ‘counting down the days’ until she could swim for Cambodia
Swimmer Apsara Sakbun, 23, has qualified to represent Cambodia in the 2024 Olympic Games.
Her father is originally Cambodian while her mother is Jamaican; but Apsara and her brother Brandon were both born and raised in Indiana.
After getting into swimming at school, the glamorous brunette set the school’s 200 freestyle relay record – and ended up appearing in her school’s record book a total of 15 times.
As it was confirmed she had made Team Cambodia ahead of Paris, she posted a snap of herself proudly posing with the Cambodian flag and spoke at her pride at representing the nation.
She wrote: ‘Turning my Olympic dreams into a reality! I am so excited to share that I will be representing Cambodia at the 2024 Olympic Games!
‘Proud of my heritage and am counting down the days to showcase Cambodia on the World stage. Now let’s get back to work!’
Elsewhere on her Instagram account, Aspara shows that, aside from the hard work of training, she knows how to enjoy life.
She often shares stunning beach snaps of herself taking in the fresh sea air and enjoying all the coast has to offer.
6. Gabby Thomas (US)
Gabby Thomas, who will take on Dina Asher Smith in the 100m and 200m sprint races, is just as glam as she is talented
Sprinter Gabby Thomas was tapped to star in Kim Kardashian’s Olympic SKIMS campaign
Gabby Thomas, another Team USA athlete, will go up against Dina Asher-Smith in the 100m and 200m on the track.
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she was part of the team that won silver in the 4 x 100m relay.
The glamorous athlete, 27, has joined her Team USA athletes in making Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS campaign.
In a sultry ad for the shapewear collection, Gabby perfects blue steel and shows off her abs in a blue bikini with white detailing; and drapes the America flag across her shoulders.
She’s also no stranger to social media, and since landing in Paris, has joined her team to show off her moves as they perform Charli XCX’s brat dance.
Away from running, Gabby enjoys brand partnerships with names including Omega watches, Sephora and Delta airlines.
7. Simone Biles (US)
Simone Biles sent fans wild this week as she was spotted reapplying her lip liner, looking cool as ever, before helping Team USA win gold in the gymnastics
The athlete, who is often hailed the greatest gymnast of all time, knows how to relax as well as work hard in training
Glamorous Simone, 27, wows audiences with her outstanding talent – while maintaining effortless glamour
Where to start with Simone Biles? She’s often lauded as the greatest gymnast the world has ever seen – and since she landed in Paris and took to the floor and apparatus again, it’s hard to disagree.
The 27-year-old American athlete has made an astonishing comeback since arriving at the Paris 2024 Olympics, having pulled out of Tokyo 2020 amid a battle with the ‘twisties’.
As she takes to the floor, she’s wowing audiences not only with her outstanding talent, but her effortless glamour.
Ahead of securing gold with the Team USA gymnastics team this week, she sent viewers wild as she was captured reapplying her lip liner ahead of taking to the floor.
The 4ft 8in stunner, who trains five days a week, enjoys family time with her husband away from the graft – and often sets pulses racing with sultry bikini snaps which show off her enviable figure.
8. Dalia Kaddari (Italy)
Dalia Kaddari, 23, was born in Sardinia to an Italian mother and a Moroccan-born father
The stunning sprinter, who represents Italy in her sport, is heading to her second Olympic Games
Italian sprinter Dalia Kaddari is another Olympian who loves the beach – posing in some eye-catching bikini snaps on some stunning beaches for her social media.
She was born in Sardinia to an Italian mother and Moroccan-born father, starring in athletics from a young age.
Now 23, she is heading to her second Olympic Games and is keen to kick on from her disappointing performance in the 200m in Tokyo four years ago, where she failed to make the final.
Tokyo saw Italy’s Lamont Marcell Jacobs Jnr win the 100m in stunning fashion – could his gorgeous brunette compatriot pull off a similar feat this time round?
9. Molly Caudery (GB)
Molly Caudery, 24, is experiencing a great run of form in the pole vault and is hoping to claim gold in Paris this summer
The pole vaulter has 283,000 followers on social media where she often shows off her beaming smile and incredible achievements
Great Britain’s Molly Caudery, 24, is among the favourites to claim gold in Paris this summer and has shot to fame as one of her country’s sweethearts and hopes for success at the Games.
The pole vaulter has a history of success in her sport, winning gold in the World Indoor Championships earlier this year in Glasgow, while she also claimed bronze in the European Championships in Rome in the build-up to the Olympics.
On social media, she boasts a steady 283,000 followers, where she often shows off her beaming smile and successes, and that number will almost certainly rise this summer regardless of whether she comes back an Olympic champion.
Away from the field, Molly has another profession – revealing to Mail Sport last month that she’s now a qualified masseuse.
She revealed: ‘I started the course in December because I thought I was going to have to get a side job to support my training and that I couldn’t just be an athlete.
‘When I was looking for an apartment, I had to make sure it had a spare room because I wanted to make it into a little massage room.’
1. Jules Bouyer (France)
Jules is a 22-year-old diver for France who has driven fans crazy after a picture of him in tight swimming trunks went viral earlier this week.
He was born and raised in Annecy, France, where he started diving at the age of six years old.
Jules is a 22-year-old diver for France who has driven fans crazy after a picture of him in tight swimming trunks went viral earlier this week
He qualified for the Paris Olympics after winning the title of Junior European Champion and Junior World Champion in 2021
Jules (pictured in May) not only knows how to work a diving board but also the camera, as he is signed with Ford Models and appeared on the front of Athletica Magazine
He trained for more than a decade at the Lyon Plongeon Club before joining the senior French team at Insep in 2020.
He qualified for the Paris Olympics after winning the title of Junior European Champion and Junior World Champion in 2021.
Jules Bouyer is hoping to win a gold medal in Paris when he competes in the final of the men’s synchronized 3m springboard final tomorrow.
He will also compete in the individual 3m springboard event next week and is working hard in practice to finalise his dives for competition.
But Jules not only knows how to work a diving board but also the camera, as he is signed with Ford Models and appeared on the front of Athletica Magazine.
2. Jordan Houlden (GB)
Jordan, 26, was born in Sheffield and trained with the City of Sheffield Diving Club before going on to bag a silver medal at the 2022 European Championships in Rome.
He has faced some struggles throughout his life, especially in regard to his mental health, as he found out in his twenties that he’s been living with ADHD.
Jordan was prepared to hang up his speedos for good not too long ago, but now he’s at the Paris Olympics and competing for Team GB for the first time.
Jordan, who won one silver and one bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games, said he didn’t know how to swim when he attended his first diving taster session.
Jordan was prepared to hang up his speedos for good not too long ago, but now he’s at the Paris Olympics and competing for Team GB for the first time
Jordan was born in Sheffield and trained with the City of Sheffield Diving Club before going on to bag a silver medal at the 2022 European Championships in Rome
Jordan initially could not swim before going for his first diving board lesson
Speaking to Swim England, he said he was a sporty person in his youth and would do BMX on the weekend, gymnastics on Wednesdays, boxing on Saturdays and then also Karate at another point during the week.
He said he was picked out by a coach during a talent tasting session because he was good at gymnastics, which comes into diving.
He said: ‘I’d never tried to go and swim before, never had any lessons and here I was going for this taster session.
‘I remember each day was an hour on dryland and an hour in the pool and on the first day I would not get in the water. I just looked at it and I thought – that is too deep for me.’
Jordan said during the second day he jumped in poolside and ‘scrambled to get back out’. On his third day, the coach had a pole to assist him getting out of the pool.
‘Now 16 years later I’m going to the Olympic Games for diving, it’s just mind blowing. Anyone can do it, no matter where you’re from.
‘I’m Sheffield born and bred. I’ve always been there, I haven’t moved really. It’s been my home town and to do it for Sheffield is a big thing.’
3. Arno Kamminga (The Netherlands)
Arno is 28-year-old swimmer from Katwijk who has recently made headlines due as he sent pulses racing in his tight shorts.
He had to ‘walk away’ from the semi-finals yesterday evening due to an injury and after a long deliberation with medical staff, they both agreed it was best for him to bow out.
Arno wrote on his Instagram: ‘Absolutely gutted to have to walk away from tonight’s semi final.
Arno was dubbed the ‘lazy one’ during his swimming classes by his old teammates
While Arno has made it to the Olympics now, he only really started taking ‘swimming seriously’ in 2017
‘After this morning’s heat I’ve injured myself and after long consideration with the medical staff we’ve come to the conclusion that I can not start tonight.
‘It has not been the week I’ve been hoping nor trained for but everything happens for a reason they say.’
While Arno has made it to the Olympics now, he only really started taking ‘swimming seriously’ in 2017.
He instead only took part in swimming to pass time and would always be the ‘first tone’ out of the pool and into the shower.
‘I was more the lazy guy. I felt like I never had a real purpose in life, I was just doing stuff,’ he told Swimming World.
When I talk to my old team-mates when I was swimming at the club and they’re like ‘we don’t get it. You were always the one first out of the water showering.’
‘Showering was better than the training: I always found ways to get out of practice.’
Arno is 28-year-old swimmer from Katwijk who has recently made headlines due as he sent pulses racing in his tight shorts
Things changed when his mother, Marleen, died of breast cancer in 2011 when Arno was 15 years old.
He therefore didn’t make any European or world junior teams and also missed out on the Rio 2016 Olympics by 0.8 seconds.
Arno then gave himself ‘one last shot’ to make it as he wanted to see whether he had it in him to be an Olympian.
Within a couple of months, he then broke the Dutch 200m breaststroke record, competed at the 2017 World Championships in the Olympic distance long course pool, and won gold as part of the Netherlands’ 4×1 mixed medley relay for the European Short-Course Championships.
4. Ramzi Boukhiam (Morocco)
Ramzi is a 30-year-old surfer from Agadir, Morocco, who took to the board aged just nine.
He was encouraged by his brother Samir, who was also a surfer and their parents would often take trips to the beach.
Ramzi’s Olympic dream came to an end on Tuesday, when João Chianca advanced over him to the quarter-finals.
Ramzi is a 30-year-old surfer from Agadir, Morocco, who took to the board aged just nine
In March this year, he won a silver medal at the ISA World Surfing Games and became the first Moroccan to ever win a medal in this competition
Ramzi’s Olympic dream came to an end on Tuesday, when João Chianca advanced over him to the quarter-finals
He wrote on Instagram: ‘ Yesterday my Olympic dream ended , I’m very upset because I would’ve hoped for more but on the other hand I don’t have any regrets because I gave my best.
‘Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart for all this support I’m getting, it really means a lot to me, and for the ones that discovered the sport yesterday, I hope you loved it because that was SURFING in my eyes.’
He finished ninth on his Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 and became the first Moroccan to compete in the World Windsurfing Championships and the first to qualify for the World Tour. However, he could not compete due to an injury.
But in March this year, he won a silver medal at the ISA World Surfing Games and became the first Moroccan to ever win a medal in this competition.
Ramzi’s mother is Dutch and his father, who passed away when he was 11 years old, is Moroccan.
Around two years later, the family moved to France which Ramzi said was good for surfing, however, he did not like the cold winters.
5. Thomas Ceccon (Italy)
Thomas is a 23-year-old swimmer who is competing on behalf of Italy at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
He recently caused a frenzy when an image of him raising his hands up when viral, as it showed a glimpse of his toned midriff.
Thomas caused a frenzy when an image of him raising his hands up when viral, as it showed a glimpse of his toned midriff
Thomas is competing on behalf of Italy at the Paris 2024 Olympics
Thomas won gold in the men’s 100m backstroke, finishing in 52 seconds flat
In images taken at the event, he revealed his abs and his V-line, only visible when someone has a very low body-fat percentage.
Thomas is now a heart throb among many Olympics fans and compilations of the swimmer have been created and posted across social media.
He won gold in the men’s 100m backstroke, finishing in 52 seconds flat.
The athlete also helped Team Italy win the bronze at the men’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay on July 27.
Thomas has 364,000 followers on Instagram where he often posts about his achievements.
Ceccon won the 100m backstroke world title and smashed the world record with a total of 51.60 at the world championships in 2022.
6. Frederick Richard (USA)
Frederick is a 20-year-old gymnast from Massachusetts who competed at the Paris Olympics for Team USA.
He landed 15th place, which he was quite disappointed about after winning Bronze in the Men’s Artistic Team All-Around.
Frederick is a 20-year-old gymnast from Massachusetts who competed at the Paris Olympics for Team USA
He landed 15th place, which he was quite disappointed about after winning Bronze in the Men’s Artistic Team All-Around
He fell on the pommel horse during his opening rotation, which dashed his hopes of scoring in the top three.
The ambitious athlete told the Washington Post: ‘Fifteenth place means nothing to me.
‘Yes, it’s amazing we’re at the biggest competition, but I know I have way more in me. The world knows I have way more in me.’
Frederick boasts a whopping 805,000 followers on TikTok and more than 600,000 on Instagram where he shows himself tumbling.
He even teamed up with Simone Biles and other athletes from the women’s gymnastics team to show off their uniforms.
7. Anthony Harding (GB)
Anthony is a 24-year-old diver for Team GB from Ashton-under-Lyne and he has spent the past two decades training to become the best he could be at his sport.
Anthony won gold in Rio in 2016 with Chris Mears and now hopes he will bag himself another top spot
Anthony is pictured with his teammate Jack Laugher and they will both compete in the Men’s Synchronized 3m Springboard Final tomorrow
He has joined forces with Britain’s first-ever Olympic diving champion, Jack Laugher and will compete in the Men’s Synchronized 3m Springboard Final tomorrow.
Anthony won gold in Rio in 2016 with Chris Mears and now hopes he will bag himself another top spot.
He has more than 57,000 followers on Instagram and is currently based in Leeds. He recently shared a picture of himself and Jack in their Addidas speedos and wrote ‘Let the games begin!’
8. Kyle Kothari (GB)
Kyle is a 26-year-old diver, from Harrow, who is representing Team GB in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
He has endured three injuries since 2015, which include two achilles ruptures. This meant that he could not compete in the Rio Olympics in 2016 or the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.
Kyle has endured three injuries since 2015 which saw him miss the Rio and Tokyo Olympics
Kyle – who is competing for Team GB – is set to compete in the Men’s 10m Platform next Friday
After winning two gold medals at the European Championships in 2022, Kyle was deemed ready to join Team GB for the games this year.
Kyle – who also won a silver medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in the Mixed 10m Synchronised Platform – is set to compete in the Men’s 10m Platform next Friday.
He told Swim England: ‘To get here after eight years of injuries and three surgeries is a testament to the sacrifices, endless rehab and support from everyone who believed in me.
‘I’m extremely proud of my journey and that’s what makes this selection special.’
Kyle is thought to be dating Eleanor MacLeod and the pair often share sweet snaps of them both on their social media accounts.
9. Gabriel Medina (Brazil)
Gabriel is a 30-year-old surfer from São Paulo who is competing in the Olympics on behalf of Team Brazil.
He has won the 2014, 2018 and 2021 World Surf League World Championships and took to the board aged just four.
The award-winning athlete won his first national championship at 11 years old which was held in Rio de Janeiro.
Gabriel is a 30-year-old surfer from São Paulo who is competing in the Olympics on behalf of Team Brazil
Gabriel recently opened up about dealing with depression after a public dispute with his family and his separation from his ex-wife, Yasmin
An impressive picture of Gabriel recently emerged where it looked as though he was standing on air and was dubbed ‘the picture of the Olympics’.
He paused briefly in the air with his board in tow as he raised an arm to supporters along the Tahiti coast after delivering a breathtaking performance to earn a score of 9.9 – the best of the Paris Olympics so far on Tuesday.
Medina was competing against Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi in the fifth heat of the men’s round three Surfing, making up for a lowly score of 2.5 on his first wave with an almost perfect 9.9 on his second.
The photographer was on a boat in the channel, waiting patiently for Medina to ‘kick out’ and exit the wave face at the end of his run, taking the shot just as the athlete pointed to the sky and capturing a moment to quickly become a global sensation.
Gabriel married Yasmin Brunet Fernandez, a 36-year-old model and businesswoman from Rio de Janeiro.
An impressive picture of Gabriel recently emerged where it looked as though he was standing on air and was dubbed ‘the picture of the Olympics’
The pair tied the knot in 2020 but divorced two years later in 2022.
Gabriel recently opened up about dealing with depression after a public dispute with his family and his separation from Yasmin.
He told Brazil’s TV Globo: ‘This time [away] was good for me. It’s not a secret, it’s even interesting to talk about mental health.
‘I had depression, I started treating myself with a psychologist. I never imagined being in this situation. It’s scary, things stop making sense for you.’
10. Teddy Riner (France)
Teddy is a 35-year-old French judoka who has won a whopping 11 World Championship gold medals and three Olympic gold medals throughout his career.
Teddy, born in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, began his journey with the sport aged just five years old after trying out various other sports such as climbing, golf, tennis, and swimming.
In 2007, he became the youngest judo world champion aged 18 after winning the gold medal at the Rio de Janeiro World Championship.
Teddy is a 35-year-old French judoka who has won a whopping 11 World Championship gold medals and three Olympic gold medals throughout his career
He is due to compete in the Men’s +100KG round and next Saturday in the Mixed Team competition
Teddy, born in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, began his journey with the sport aged just five years old
He is due to compete in the Men’s +100KG round and next Saturday in the Mixed Team competition.
Teddy has a long-term girlfriend, Luthna Plocus. The pair share two children, a son Eden Riner and a daughter named Isis.
He told l’Equipe about his future plans and said: ‘I can’t say for sure that I will stop in 2024. As long as everything goes well, I may continue my journey beyond that.
‘I find it effortless to manage travelling and training, and I’m in excellent physical shape with a strong enthusiasm for my work.
‘Fatigue is not a concern for me now, so why would I stop if I’m passionate about what I do?’
