As we enter Day 10 of the Olympics, female athletes all from all over the globe continue to astound.
Across all sports, here are some of the biggest moments from the Paris Olympics from over the weekend.
Saint Lucia sprinter scores country’s first-ever gold
Julien Alfred has become the first-ever Olympic medallist from St Lucia after winning the women’s 100m final.
Crossing the line in 10.72 seconds, Alfred beat out US favourite Sha’Carri Richardson, who claimed silver in 10.87 seconds.
The 23-year-old’s win makes her the first winner of the 100m that isn’t from Jamaica since 2004.
St Lucia is a small island nation in the eastern Carribean with a population of around 180,000 people, and Alfred has said she grew up running barefoot in the country, where poverty is widespread.
Speaking after her win, Alfred paid tribute to St Lucia as well as her father, who passed away in 2013.
“It means a lot to me. It means a lot to my coach. It means a lot to my country. I’m sure they’re celebrating right now.”
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif wins emotional quarter-final
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif defeated Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori at the North Paris Arena on Sunday morning (AEST), securing her place in the semi-finals.
Khelif’s victory was especially emotional, as recent days has seen her be subjected to widespread bullying and misinformation over her gender.
“I am a female, and I will remain a female,” Khelif said, following her win.
“This is a matter of dignity and honour for every woman or female.”
“I dedicate this medal to the world and to all the Arabs, and I tell you, ‘Long live Algeria’.”
Former US President Donald Trump, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and British author J.K. Rowling are among the high-profile people who’ve contributed to the bullying against Khelif.
Katie Ledecky becomes the most decorated American female athlete
American swimmer Katie Ledecky won the 800m freestyle on Saturday night, beating out her biggest rival, Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus.
Since winning her first Olympic title in the 800m freestyle at only 15-years-old, this victory is her fourth gold in the event, 12 years later.
“The four times one is the one that means the most to me,” Ledecky told reporters after the race.
“August 3 is the day I won in 2012, and I didn’t want August 3 to be a day I didn’t like, moving forwards.”
“Kinda felt like I put a lot of pressure on myself. So, I’m happy I got the job done.”
The 27-year-old now has fourteen total Olympic medals (nine of them gold), making her the most decorated American female athlete. Ledecky also holds the joint-most golds by a female Olympian, with former Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina.
Aleksandra Jarecka wins Poland’s first ever medal in women’s epee fencing
In an emotional victory celebration, Poland fencer Aleksandra Jarecka captured hearts by winning the country’s first ever medal in women’s epee fencing.
Matched up against China, with a bronze medal on the line, there was a glitch in the scoring system that handed Jarecka a 31-30 edge. And with just three seconds left in the match, the 28-year-old was able to force another overtime, which she then won on the tiebreaker point.
Following her stunning effort, Jarecka fell to the floor and let out emotional screams as her teammates surrounded to celebrate the bronze medal with her.
Opals advance to the women’s basketball knockouts
The Opals have advanced to the women’s basketball knockouts at the Paris Olympics after a dramatic win over France. In the quarter-finals of the tournament the final score was a 79-72 win for Australia.
The victory on Monday morning (AEST) over the previously undefeated France, has steered the Opals from an early meeting with the powerhouse team from the United States, who haven’t lost an Olympics game since 1992.
“We knew we would get better every day,” said Opals captain Tess Madgen.
“We laid a big egg on that first day, but we’re Australians. When the going gets tough, we fight.”
The Opals will play Serbia in a Quarter Final showdown on Wednesday night, 7pm AEST.
The women’s high jump competition produces the “perfect podium”
New world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh, from Ukraine, won the women’s high jump gold medal on Monday morning (AEST) with a clutch final clearance at 2m.
Australian high jumper Nicola Olyslagers won the silver medal, and bronze was shared between Eleanor Patterson, also from Australia, and Ukrainian high jumper Iryna Gerashchenko.
The four athletes from the two nations have dominated the women’s high jump in recent years, celebrated atop the podium at this year’s Paris Games.
“(The Ukrainians) have been on the journey for such a long time and they’re dear friends, they’re not just competitors,” said Olsylagers.
“Especially Iryna and Eleanor to have shared the bronze medal; both of them at the Olympics Games last time they got fourth and fifth, both of them narrowly missing out on these big things.
“It was really beautiful,” she said, adding, “In my head, the perfect podium, tonight was it with the four of us sharing it together.”