Introduction
The Olympic Games are a global sporting event where the best athletes from around the world gather to compete in 32 different sports. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Olympics is the wide range of body types showcased. From small but mighty gymnasts to the tallest-person-you-know-but-add-a-few-inches volleyball players, the diversity of athletic bodies on display all in one space is truly a sight to behold.
Join me in my POV at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Body Diversity in Sports
One of my favorite games to play at the Olympics is “Guess The Sport.” By observing an athlete's body type (short, tall, small, large, or incredibly… average), demeanor, and team culture, you can guess what sport an athlete plays. Sometimes though, it’s not all that easy since “all body types can be Olympians,” said Ilona Maher and there is so much variation even within a single sport. For instance, Mary Theisen-Lappen and I play the same sport yet have very different bodies. Most guess I am a gymnast because of my petite frame and vertically challenged body, while most assume Mary is a big, powerful thrower. When we stand next to each other, most would never guess we’re on the same team!
The diversity in athletes' bodies highlights the fact that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to athleticism. Each sport requires its unique combination of strength, speed, agility, and flexibility, and athletes come in all shapes and sizes to meet these demands.
Celebrating Athleticism in All Forms
Embracing and celebrating body diversity in sports is essential for creating an inclusive and empowering environment for athletes of all shapes and sizes. Big organizations including each sport’s national governing bodies, sponsors, the International Olympic Committee, and Team USA play a crucial role in promoting body diversity by actively supporting and showcasing athletes from diverse backgrounds and body types. This is done by highlighting ALL sports and not just the popular ones. The media plays a prominent role in how athletes are displayed to the world. Showcasing all athletes (not just the celebrities) and all sports (not just the big ones), we inherently show the diversity that already exists within most sports.
Why is this important? Because representation matters. When you see someone who looks like you or comes from a similar background do something extraordinary, it sends a message of hope. It says “I can do that too.”
Consider these stats:
There is a “43-year age gap between the youngest and oldest U.S. athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics. U.S.”
Women athletes won over half the 126 total U.S. Olympic medals in Paris.
Ilona Maher, team USA Rugby player, has a BMI of ~30.
“I’m 5’10” and 200 pounds, and I have about 170 pounds of lean mass on me. But BMI doesn’t tell you what I can do on the field or how fit I am.” And to the haters: “Alas, I’m going to the Olympics and you’re not.”
In 2016, Ashleigh Johnson became the first Black athlete to make the U.S. Olympic team in water polo. She also won a medal in Tokyo and competed once again in Paris.
“The longer that you play a sport, the less it becomes about you.”
“As a Black woman of Caribbean descent in this sport, I definitely feel a special obligation to be a light for little Black and brown girls — and boys — who may be interested in swimming and water polo. That’s really special and is a priority for me.”
Finally, it’s not all about outward appearance. The specific physical adaptations of elite athletes can differentiate even within. For instance, weightlifters typically have a high proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers which is necessary for fast, explosive movements. In contrast, distance runners utilize slow-twitch muscle fibers and have extraordinarily high VO2 max levels which allows for incredible efficiency of oxygen utilization needed in prolonged muscle exertion.
This reinforces the idea that athleticism comes in various forms, making sports a truly welcoming and enriching experience for everyone involved.
Last few thoughts…
We have acknowledged that the Olympics can be used to celebrate the incredible diversity of the human body. What we haven’t touched on yet is how much deeper that statement goes when we begin to think about the Paralympics. Talk about the wide range of body types that can excel in any sport!
Don’t forget to tune in on August 28th because the GAMES AIN’T OVER YET.
Go Team USA!
About the Author
Jourdan Delacruz is a 2X Olympian and represented Team USA in the sport of Weightlifting for both the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games. Jourdan holds a bachelor's in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Northern Colorado. She is pursuing her master's degree in sports nutrition with hopes of becoming a sport-registered dietitian. Jourdan is the founder of Herathlete, a brand committed to supporting female athletes through education and community.
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