Many athletes are aiming to score perfect 10s in Paris at the Summer Olympics, but these women and men already were 10s before they even qualified for the Games.
With the opening ceremonies kicking things off in the City of Lights on Friday, these stars are about to win over the hearts of onlookers across the globe.
Here is our list of the athletes to watch at this year’s Summer Olympics:
Alica Schmidt, Germany
When you already have been dubbed the “world’s sexiest athlete,” there’s no real debate that Schmidt needs to be included on this list. The German track star is an internet sensation and has taken up modelling as a side hustle. She has more than 5.1 million followers on Instagram alone and is one of the most-followed amateur athletes in Paris. She’ll be taking part in the mixed 4×400 metre relay after making the squad for the Tokyo Games but not competing.
Molly Caudery
There are not many athletes hotter than this pole vaulter – in more ways than one. The stunning Brit set a record at the indoor world championship this year and cleared 4.92 metres last month, good for the seventh-best vault by a woman ever. She also is known to display her physique to her followers on Instagram in beachwear, dresses and more.
Luana Alonso
The Paraguay beauty celebrated her qualification for the Paris Games by showing off some new ink to her fans on Instagram – the Olympic rings on the front of her hip. This is the 20-year-old swimmer’s second Games and she is looking to build off a star-making performance in 2022 at the South American Youth Games, where she won three gold medals and set a national record.
Jordyn Huitema, Canada
Despite being just 23 years old, it feels like Huitema has been around the Canadian women’s national soccer team forever. That’s probably because she made her debut at just 15 years old and has been a mainstay ever since. The B.C. native has a huge following on Instagram with 1.4 million fans and has made headlines off the field as well for her taste in men. Huitema dated Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies and is currently seeing Seattle Mariners all-star Julio Rodriguez.
Alysha Newman
The London, Ont., native is on her way to her third Olympic Games and ready to reach new heights – literally. The 30-year-old pole vaulter hopes to bring home her first Olympic medal to join her Commonwealth Games gold from 2018. She also has been known to enjoy modelling, hot yoga and water sports in her spare time.
Yuliia Levchenko
This Ukrainian high jump is soaring to new heights, both online and in the field. She is known for posting racy bikini snapshots and also shares her luxurious lifestyle and training regimen with her 462,000 Instagram fans. Despite being just 26 years old, this is her third Olympics.
Yana Egorian
It’s a shame that the Russian star competes in a sport where she’s covered from head to toe, but those are the rules in fencing – even if you have been called the “hottest Olympian ever.” Egorian isn’t just a pretty face, either, she backs it up it in competition, boasting a pair of gold medals from the 2016 Games.
Caeleb Dressel
The latest American male swimming phenom already has seven gold medals to his name after two Olympic Games. He and his 650,000 followers on Instagram should be looking forward to seeing the golden boy add to his haul.
Leon Marchand
This French swimming star has the looks and style to steal the spotlight in Paris. A five-time world champion and record holder (besting Michael Phelps’ mark in the 400m long course medley), Marchand aims to become France’s first gold-medal swimmer since 2012.
Tom Daley
Daley got his first Olympic experience at 14 years old in 2008 but really began making big waves on his home turf at the 2012 Games in London. Since then, the openly queer diver has seen his popularity explode. He has become a popular TV personality in his home country and has several Olympic medals to his name.
Rai Benjamin
Standing an impressive 6-foot-3, the New York native runs both the 400m sprint and the 400m hurdles. He’ll be looking to add to his silver medal from the Tokyo Games while showing off some of the style he often flaunts on his Instagram.
Alex Ranghieri
Standing nearly 6-foot-6, it would be hard to miss the handsome Italian anywhere, let alone towering in the sand. The dominant spiker will be looking to improve his performance at the 2016 Rio Games, during which his team finished ninth.
