11 Inspiring Olympic Women Who Are Making History This Year

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A photo posted by Yusra Mardini ⬅️ (@yusramardini_fans) on Aug 11, 2016 at 5:41am PDT

2. Ibtihaj Muhamme

Muhammed is a sabre fencer from Maplewood, New Jersey, representing the U.S. Fencing team. She is the first ever Muslim-American woman to compete while wearing a hijab. Muhammed won her first qualifying round in individual saber, but was defeated by France’s Cecilia Berder in Round 16.

Yesterday I saw my biggest dream come true, competing at the Olympic Games. I am overwhelmed with happiness and feel so blessed for the opportunity to represent the United States on the world’s biggest stage. I am grateful for the outpouring of love and support throughout my journey. What a blessing to become the first American Muslim woman to compete in the Olympics in hijab! I am hopeful that this monumental moment in our history continues to encourage unity and respectful dialogue. All praises to the most high. Team USA and proud! #TeamUSA #ibtihajinRio #alhumdulillah

A photo posted by Ibtihaj Muhammad (@ibtihajmuhammad) on Aug 9, 2016 at 2:27pm PDT

3. Jo Pavey

Pavey, a British long-distance runner, has become the eldest track athlete in Olympic history at 42 years old. It’s also worth mentioning that she won a gold medal back in 2014 at Zürich’s European Championships, just 10 months after giving birth to her second child. This is her fourth time competing in the Olympics.

A daily dose of inspiration! Jo Pavey MBE won the 10,000 m gold medal at the 2014 European Championships in Zürich, age 40 #jopavey #inspiration #gymspiration #sport #running

A photo posted by Beet It Sport (@beetitsport) on Dec 2, 2015 at 5:30am PST

4. Ashleigh Johnson

Johnson, representing the United States, has become the first black woman to compete on an Olympic water polo team. She’s 21 years old, goes to Princeton, and on Aug. 9th, she stopped 11 of 15 shots, leading the U.S. women’s team to an 11-4 victory over Spain.

A photo posted by Ashleigh Johnson (@bume96) on Aug 4, 2016 at 11:36am PDT

5. Oksana Chusovitina

Chusovitina is a Russian gymnast and the eldest competing in this year’s Olympics. She’s the only female gymnast to ever compete in seven Olympic games and has represented three different nations over the course of her quarter-century career. At 41, Chusovitina is competing against athletes who weren’t even born by the time she entered her first international competition in 1989.

@# IGC-Helping Gymnasts Achieve Their Dreams @#internationalgymcamp

A photo posted by Oksana (@oksana2016) on Jun 27, 2016 at 3:15pm PDT

6. Lia Neal And Simone Manuel

Neal, 21, and Manual, 19, have become the first duo of black women to compete on the U.S. Olympic Swim Team at the same time. Neal and Manual are both Stanford students who will swim as part of the 4×100 freestyle team.

When you realize it’s 2 days until race day @swimone13

A video posted by lia m. neal (@lia_neal) on Aug 4, 2016 at 12:22pm PDT

7. Lilly King

King is an American swimmer who has already won a gold medal this year in the women’s 100-meter. What’s inspiring about King is that at 19, she hasn’t been afraid to speak out against the Doping scandals that have been plaguing the reputation of the 2016 Games. King has been outspoken in her comments, stating that she is proud to have won her gold medal ‘clean’ and that she doesn’t believe athletes who have failed drug tests — like U.S. sprinter Justin Gatlin, who failed two drug tests — should compete as part of an Olympic team.

Gold is my new favorite color

A photo posted by Lilly King (@_king_lil) on Aug 9, 2016 at 10:42am PDT

8. Rafaela Silva

Silva is a Brazilian judo athlete from the notorious City of God slum in Rio. Not only did Silva win Brazil’s first gold medal of the 2016 Games, she’s also been an advocate for combating racism in Brazil and she came out as part of the LGBT community back in October.

“Alô, galera, #falta1ano para a disputa dos leves (-57kg/-73kg) na Rio 2016. Os judocas do Brasil estão #preparadosparavencer Estamos juntos!”

A photo posted by Rafaela Silva (@rafaelasilvaa) on Aug 8, 2015 at 9:26am PDT

9. Dipa Karmakar

Karmakar is a 23-year-old gymnast from Agartala, India. This year, she became India’s first-ever female gymnast to qualify for the Olympic Games, as well as the first Indian gymnast — man or woman — to qualify in 52 years.

Congratulations on qualifying for the vault finals #DipaKarmakar! Here’s looking at you girl

A photo posted by VOGUE India (@vogueindia) on Aug 8, 2016 at 1:08am PDT

10. Isadora Cerullo

Cerullo is a Brazilian rugby player who made a statement about LGBT equality when she accepted her girlfriend’s marriage proposal on the field of Deodoro Stadium after the Australia vs. New Zealand final. Cerullo’s girlfriend, Enya, is a manager at the stadium. Enya told the BBC that she made her proposal public because she wanted to prove that ‘love wins.’

A rugby match ends in a #proposal for Brazilian player Isadora Cerullo. #Rio2016 August 8, 2016 | : David Rogers | #GettyAtTheGames #GettySport

A photo posted by Getty Images (@gettyimages) on Aug 8, 2016 at 9:26pm PDT

11. The Australian, Kiwi, and Canadian Women’s Rugby Teams

The 2016 Games debuted the fist-ever women’s rugby competition in Olympic history and the above three teams, respectively, became the first to earn medals.

Australia wins first ever women’s rugby sevens Olympic gold medal. Congratulations! #rio2016

A photo posted by The Olympic Games (@olympics) on Aug 8, 2016 at 5:04pm PDT