Black Olympic Athletes: Their Hair Journey Stories

Gymnast Simone Biles posted several updates to her Instagram Stories, offering a look at the Paris Olympic Village. One snap showed the room she’ll share with teammate Jade Carey, including the much talked about “cardboard” beds. Another photo featured the US Women’s Gymnastics team in Ralph Lauren tracksuits. Biles also shared a view of the gymnastics arena.

In another post, Biles shared a selfie with teammate Jordan Chiles, showing her hair in a messy bun with some stray strands. Before anyone could throw shade about her hair, the Olympian already let it be known that she doesn’t care.

Biles told Elle magazine she’s come a long way in her hair journey. “I don’t really care if my edges aren’t smooth,” she said. She continued, “I used to worry about [my hair being considered] not professional. But I’m not embarrassed about it anymore.”

Black women competing in the 2024 Olympics are getting a lot of attention, and so is their hair. Sprinter Kendall Ellis told NBC News that she plans to show off her natural kinky hair texture during the Paris Games. After qualifying for the Olympics, she said, “It was one of the first things I thought about!” Ellis will wear a sew-in (hair extensions sewn over her braided hair) that matches her natural texture.

The outlet also mentioned other athletes, like water polo player Ashleigh Johnson and track stars Brittany Brown and Anna Cockrell, are also using the Olympics as a chance to highlight their personal styles instead of stressing about their hair.

Black female athletes have always faced criticism over their hair, from Venus Williams being penalized for her beaded hairstyle to debates about swim caps for natural hair. Gymnasts like Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles have also faced ridicule for their hairstyles.

In 1999, the New York Times reported that Williams trademark hair beads went skittering across the court during a match. In tennis, there is a rule against hindrance. Balls falling out of pockets or hats falling off heads in the middle of play are ruled a hindrance because they are a distraction. Williams's beads apparently fall in the same category. Williams said she didn't think her falling beads were a distraction. But Davenport said, "You can hear them, and you can see them a little bit."

A cap designed for Black swimmers’ natural hair that had been banned from the Tokyo Olympics was finally approved in 2022 for competitive races. Swimming governing body FINA announced that the Soul Cap was on its list of approved equipment. The London-based Soul Cap brand was designed larger than existing styles to contain and protect dreadlocks, weaves, hair extensions, braids, and thick and curly hair.

In 2021, British swimmer Alice Dearing was refused permission to wear a Soul Cap in the 10-kilometer marathon swim in Tokyo, with FINA suggesting the size could create an advantage.

Gabby Douglas opened up about all the hair damage she suffered as a result of doing gymnastics. The Olympic athlete shared a photo of herself on Instagram with her natural hair and talked about the emotional journey she’s been on with her hair over the past several years.

Douglas said she “cried and cried and cried” about her struggles with her hair and also talked about how hard it was when people criticized her hair during the Olympics instead of focusing on her athletic abilities.

Today, more Black athletes are proudly sharing their hair care routines and embracing their hair. Swimmer Simone Manuel has shared her hair care tips and 100-meter sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson has rocked bright wigs and elaborate braids at the starting line.