Where were you on Super Saturday? Whether you were scrubbing your shower, bending your body into a Downward Dog or among the privileged few who scored tickets to watch Team GB athletes put in a performance for the ages, this much, we know: on that August afternoon, in 2012, all eyes were on east London.
When Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill beat her own record to win gold in the heptathlon, it was the first of three gold medals won by Team GB in the space of 44 minutes. Earlier that day, Dame Laura Kenny won gold in the women’s team pursuit. Watching these events unfold from the commentary box with an earned empathy was Dame Denise Lewis; 12 years earlier, at Sydney 2000, she was the one standing on the podium after winning gold in the heptathlon.
These women are a trifecta of legacy; embodying immaculately the sacrifice, strength and superhuman sporting ability that winning gold on the world stage requires. So when it came to the question of who would front our bumper issue this summer – a summer in which sport promises to take centre stage once again - we knew just who to ask.
To mark the history-making moment that is Paris 2024 – and for the first time in Women’s Health history - we have not one, but three covers stars. Three Dames. Three Olympic champions. Three decades of making magic together at the very top of women’s sport. And in celebration of getting three heavily-decorated women to one west London studio on the same day, at the same time, we recorded a conversation between them.
In an interview covering everything from legacies to loneliness, they sat down with Women’s Health’s chief interviewer and features director Roisin Dervish-O’Kane to talk about their successes, their struggles and the ways in which sport – even at this elite level, even in 2024 – still has a long way to go when it comes to supporting female health, and with it, true equality. You can watch the conversation in full on July 2nd or sign up to become a member of Women’s Health Collective to get access a whole week early.
We aren’t the only ones with our eyes trained on Paris, either. Leading up to the 2024 Olympic Games, Women’s Health will be celebrating female Olympians worldwide. In a global celebration of sports and athletes, all 10 editions of Women’s Health around the world will feature female Olympians on their next print and digital covers.
‘At Women’s Health, we believe that sport teaches, inspires, and ultimately, changes people’s lives – and the Olympic Games are the ultimate, universal expression of that power and motivation,’ says Liz Plosser, editor-in-chief at our sister title Women's Health US.
‘With female athletes competing on the world’s biggest stage this summer, it was the perfect moment to join forces with our teammates at Women’s Health across the globe to showcase and celebrate the mental resilience and determination, and of course the physical feats, of superstars from each of our countries. After all, as we say at Women’s Health, strength is universal.'
From the B-girl who's looking to break new ground in the first year Breaking - or break dancing - is an Olympic sport, to the surfer who thrives under pressure and atop a board, meet the women fronting Women's Health editions around the world.
Our Olympics celebration extended to all 10 global editions
Women's Health Japan
Name: Ami Yuasa
Sport: Breaking
‘Rather than focusing on winning or losing, I want to be a B-girl who impresses people with how cool I am by being true to myself.’
Women's Health Taiwan
Name: Kuo Hsing-Chun
Sport: Weightlifting
‘I’m happy to have many strong competitors, which motivates me to challenge the best.’
Women's Health Australia
Name: Saya Sakakibara
Sport: BMX racing
‘I don’t think I was brought up as a fearless character. I’ve had to work for every scary thing I’ve done’
Women's Health Portugal
Name: Teresa Bonvalot
Sport: Surfing
‘I like pressure. I prefer competition to training because the anxiety makes me willing to give my all for that hour’
Women's Health Germany
Name: Alica Schmidt
Sport: Track and field
‘I visualise everything. I sit down for a few minutes every day and think through what’s coming up and what I want to achieve. So I feel like nothing can happen that will throw me off track.’
Women's Health Spain
Name: Adriana Cerezo
Sport: Taekwondo
‘The pressure is because something matters to you, and it’s what’s going to make you give that little bit extra that will make the difference.’
Women's Health US
Name: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
Sport: Track and field
‘Sports can be physically and mentally draining, and that’s why taking breaks and remembering why you love it is so important… I’ll look back on these days and be like, “I wish I could go back.” I don’t want to take anything for granted.’
Women's Health South Africa
Names: Quanita Bobbs + Onthatile Zulu
Sport: Field Hockey
‘Don’t only dream; make it happen. Work hard to achieve your goals because it’s worth it. Playing for the national team is a huge honour.’ - QB
‘I can only hope that we break down barriers to empower young girls to pursue their passion for hockey with determination and confidence.’ - OZ
Women's Health Netherlands
Names: Joosje Burg, Frédérique Matla and Maria Verschoor
Sport: Field Hockey
‘My biggest dream: we’re standing on that field, the sun is shining and the stadium is full of friends, family and people wearing orange hats and scarves. Then the whistle blows, we run on to the field together and afterwards we go crazy because we’ve won.’ - FM
