Every 4 years the time comes for athletically gifted humans from all over the world to show off what they can do when the pressure is really on. For most of us watching on the couch it’s just a time to marvel at how in shape these people are, maybe start a new workout regimen for a week, then go back to the normal Chipotle daily diet and maybe bimonthly jogs at the gym. For us ladies there are definitely details that stand out more than others– you know the ones that US Weekly features on an Olympic spread down the road. Here are the top 10 moments from Rio that caught every lady’s eye.
1. Simone Biles’ eyeliner
It is obvious that the world has been blown away by Simone’s talent but my first thought was how fantastic and sassy her eye makeup was. It’s as if the 4th of July fireworks were framing the windows to her soul.
2. Zac Efron’s support for Simone Biles
If only I could tweet “Hey Zac I have a really hard exam coming up, it would be great if you could come” and he showed up and kissed me on the cheek too.
3. Boomer Phelps
Look. At. That. Face. This kid looked like he was about to lay down a sick track the entire Olympics and I loved it. I can’t wait to see him at the weekly meetings for the Olympian Children’s Anonymous with Kendall and Kylie Jenner. When your mom was Miss California and your dad is…well you know, the future can only be golden.
4. Ryan Lochte’s color changing hair
Ryan’s attempt at his usual Olympic fashion statement transitioned from the Anderson Cooper Silver Fox to the Glacier Freeze Gatorade within a day. I feel like the Brazilian fashion police should press charges and bring in Elle Woods for questioning. She’d probably say, “you know, a girl in my sorority died her hair white one time,” followed later by, “wouldn’t someone who has swam in a chlorinated pool for say, 30 years, be well aware that it will change the color of your hair.”
5. The coronation of the newest King of the Olympic Hotties-Nathan Adrian
There comes the time in a young woman’s life that she realizes she doesn’t just want a pretty face. This moment occurred for me during the men’s 50 meter freestyle event. During both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics I thought I just might marry Ryan Lochte and be just fine starring at his beautiful face while drowning out his voice– but that’s no longer the case. Nathan Adrian is the perfect mixture of nerdy and cute and something tells me he knows the chemical effects of chlorine on human hair.
6. Aly Raisman’s parents
The way Aly’s parents watch her compete is the same way I’d watch myself from above in any social interaction with a boy. However, I would never win an Olympic medal of any sorts in that event.
7. Emotional wins
As Aly Raisman burst into tears finishing her floor routine and Simone Manuel did the same as she won gold in the pool I lost my marbles. Granted I’m the type of person that tears up seeing an elderly person alone at Applebee’s but nonetheless, seeing someone’s life long Olympic dreams come true can be more tear jerking than The Notebook.
8. Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross wearing necklaces
I love that when you finally reach the Olympic stage all accessorizing rules are off. Both of these ladies looked fierce on the beach but I couldn’t help but think how truly annoying it would be to play a sport with a necklace smacking me in the face the whole time. It’s similar to being smacked in the face by another girl’s ponytail in high school basketball. I think it illustrates the amateur level of my athletic career that I wasn’t even allowedud a hair tie on my wrist.
9. Lilly King throwing shade
Not only can Lilly King dish it out but she can back it up too. This girl showed up to prove that her rival’s extremely cute coral swimsuit and performance enhancing drugs can only get you so far. What’s good Yulia?
10. The U.S. Women in total Beast Mode
Who run the world? Girls. Who swim the world? Girls. Who gymnast… okay you get the point., But seriously, watching the United States women take home 121 medals (the most of anyone), was extremely inspiring. From the “Final Five” dominating artistic gymnastics and Katie Ledecky practically flying through the pool to the American sweep of the 100 meter hurdles (including Virginia Tech’s own Kristi Castlin) these Olympics have proven that hard work and determination make the difference, no matter your gender.