Gold wasn’t the only thing adorning these Olympians
While fine jewelry might not be the first thing you’d associate with an athletic event, the 2024 Paris Olympics was a vibrant showcase of not only athletic excellence but also individual style. The jewelry worn by athletes added a unique layer of personal expression to the global spectacle, showcasing a blend of fashion and functionality on one of the world’s most prestigious stages.
Jewelry trends at the 2024 Paris Olympics included minimalist designs that seamlessly complemented athletic attire without overpowering it. These pieces were characterized by their elegant, clean lines crafted to be both functional and stylish.
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While minimalist styles were prevalent, some athletes chose to showcase luxury pieces. These included custom jewelry from renowned jewelers, adorned with diamonds, precious stones, and intricate patterns.
Additionally, Olympic commemoratives remained a classic choice. Many athletes wore custom jewelry to mark their participation in the games, featuring elements like the Olympic rings to honor their achievements.
Simone Biles
All eyes were on Simone Biles as she stood atop the Olympic podium on Thursday, making history as the first American gymnast ever to win two individual all-around gold medals.
Solidifying her status as the greatest of all time, Biles showcased her gold medal and her legendary status in a distinctive way. She wore a necklace featuring a three-dimensional goat meticulously handcrafted from white gold and embellished with 546 diamonds, cementing her status as the “greatest of all time.”
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Additionally, a delicate gold necklace featuring five Olympic rings was specially commissioned for Biles, both designed by Calabasas-based jeweler Janet Helle.
Noah Lyles
Noah Lyles not only secured his first Olympic gold medal in the men’s 100-meter sprint and the title of “the world’s fastest man” but he also captured global attention with his choice of jewelry. Lyles made a statement both on and off the track with his accessories, wearing a chain-link necklace crafted from three different metals and adorned with diamonds, along with an Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon “Apollo 8” wristwatch for one of the most memorable sprint finals in history.
The necklace Lyles sported during his gold medal-winning performance appeared to be made of white metal with mariner links, embellished with white, yellow, and black diamonds. He had previously worn the same necklace during the 100-meter competition at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. While the designer remains unconfirmed, it is rumored to have been crafted by his local jeweler, The Village Jeweler in Gainesville, Florida.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
Competing in her fifth and final Olympics on Friday, two-time Olympic gold medalist Fraser-Pryce excelled in the first round heat of the women’s 100-meter race. She made a statement with a luxurious Richard Mille 07-04 Automatic Sport watch valued at $185,000, as she dominated the competition.
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Edgar Cheung
Edgar Cheung Ka-long from Hong Kong achieved a historic back-to-back gold medal victory at the Paris Olympics, while sporting a bracelet from Van Cleef & Arpels that features the Vintage Alhambra motif—a four-leaf clover often associated with good luck and courage. This piece, estimated to cost around $5,057, was complemented by a Cartier Love bracelet, adding an extra touch of style to his triumphant moment.
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz
During the men’s doubles tennis at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz both showcased their taste for luxury watches.
Nadal wore a prestigious Richard Mille RM 27-03, renowned for its high-performance and sophisticated design. This custom timepiece, tailored to Nadal’s needs, boasts exceptional durability and shock resistance, perfectly suited for his intense playing style. Weighing just 11.5 grams, the RM 27-03 features a dramatic black case made from Carbon TPT® B.4, a material originally used in Formula 1 cars. With a price tag exceeding $1,000,000, it represents both cutting-edge technology and high luxury.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, broke from tradition by opting for a refined 40mm Rolex Day-Date with a black baguette dial, crafted in 18-karat yellow gold. Known as the “President’s Watch,” this prestigious timepiece is valued at around $40,000.
Jordan Chiles
23-year-old gymnast Jordan Chiles dazzled with a set of natural diamond grills as she clinched the gold medal for the Women’s Team Final alongside teammates Suni Lee, Simone Biles, Jordan Carey, and Hezly Rivera. When Chiles stepped onto the podium, she proudly displayed not just her medal, but also a newly added accessory.
Continuing the tradition of Olympians biting their medals, Chiles posed for the iconic shot with her grill front and center. The grill featured four pavé natural diamond-coated fronts and two solid gold ones, adding a touch of extra bling to her victory.
Huang Yaqiong
After clinching the mixed doubles badminton title with partner Zheng Siwei at Paris 2024, China’s Huang Yaqiong found that the gold medal was just the beginning of her celebration.
Following the medal ceremony, Huang’s Olympic teammate Liu Yuchen, who competes in men’s doubles and is her off-court partner, presented her with a bouquet of flowers before getting down on one knee and proposing, to which she said yes to.
