The Olympic highs and lows that defined the 2016 Games for women

High: Swimmers Simone Manuel and Penny Oleksiak tie for gold

Canada’s Penny Oleksiak and Simone Manuel from the U.S. both touched the wall at 52.70 seconds in the women’s 100m freestyle, confusing commentators for a few seconds as they tried to decipher what just happened. Not only did both ladies break an Olympic record and tie for gold, but Manuel’s gold medal win is the first time an African-American woman has won an individual medal in swimming.

High: Runners help each other finish the race

When New Zealand runner Nikki Hamblin tripped during the 5,000-metre race, Abbey D’Agostino from the U.S. got tangled up in the mess, falling and injuring her knee. But instead of cursing, D’Agostino helped Hamblin up, and convinced her to finish the race. Despite finishing last and second to last, they were both permitted to advance to the final. 

Low: Goalkeeper Hope Solo’s sore-loser attitude

Sweden’s women’s team beat the U.S. in an intense penalty shoot-out last Friday, sending the Americans home. Instead of congratulating the Swedes for advancing to the semi-finals, Hope Solo disparaged their defence-focused play. “I … think we played a bunch of cowards,” she said. “[T]he best team did not win today; I strongly, firmly believe that.”

High: “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I’m the first Simone Biles”

With this one simple statement, U.S. gymnast Simone Biles called out sexism couched in the media fawning over her spectacular success at Rio. This Games, Biles became the first American gymnast to win four gold medals at a single Olympics.

High: Team Canada’s female athletes kick major butt

Our Olympic team took home just one gold medal during the 2012 Games in London, courtesy of trampolinist Rosie MacLennan. She won gold again in Rio, but this time she wasn't the only one. Canada’s female athletes have been killing it this Games, and were responsible for all our wins until Day 9, when Andre De Grasse won bronze.

Low: Katie Ledecky’s gold < Michael Phelps’s silver

Apparently American swimmer Katie Ledecky’s wake of gold medals and broken records were no match for Michael Phelps’s silver performance. In an article one Twitter user called “a metaphor for basically the entire world,” Phelps’s silver was given top billing over Ledecky’s world record and gold medal.

High: Egypt competes in beach volleyball for the first time

In 2012, the International Volleyball Federation added full sleeves and leggings to its list of acceptable sportswear, opening doors to athletes who favour more conservative dress. In the run-up to Rio, it also added hijabs to the list. So Dooa Elghobashy and Nada Meawad, Egypt’s first female volleyball players to qualify for the Olympics, were able to play not in the typical bikinis but in long sleeves and leggings. “I have worn the hijab for 10 years,” said Doaa Elghobashy, who wore hers to compete. “It doesn't keep me away from the things I love to do, and beach volleyball is one of them.”

Low: Diver’s win is overshadowed by her boyfriend’s proposal

After China’s He Zi earned silver for her performance in the three-metre springboard diving final, her boyfriend, fellow diver Qin Kai, rushed poolside and got down on one knee. Numerous media outlets, including the CBC, NBC and BBC, focused on the proposal rather than her achievement. CBC tweeted: “What’s better than an Olympic medal? A proposal!” Turns out, she isn’t ready to get married.

Low: Swimmer’s husband credited for her win

On the first day of the Games, Hungary’s Katinka Hosszú had the swim of her life during the 400-metre individual relay, breaking a world record and winning a gold medal. But who did NBC commentators praise moments after she touched the wall? “The man responsible,” Hosszú’s husband and coach, Shane Tusup.

High: Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui busts period stigma

When Fu Yuanhui, already a bronze winner and Internet sensation in China, and her teammates placed a disappointing fourth in the women’s 4×100-metre medley relay, the swimmer blamed her menstrual cycle. “Because my period came yesterday, I’m feeling a bit weak, but this is not an excuse,” a hunched-over Fu told reporters. The comments weren’t just relatable, they were hailed as ground-breaking by international media, particularly in Fu’s home country, where periods are still taboo. (China’s first domestic tampon brand is launching just this month.)

Low: Female Olympians encouraged to wear makeup

During the Fox News segment, Sports Court, two male guests provided totally unnecessary commentary on whether female Olympians should wear makeup. Bo Dietl and Mark Simone delivered gems like, “Would you put money on a gal that won the gold medal that looks like a washed-out rag? No. If she looked beautiful and she looked a little happy-looking, then you’d support her.” And, “I think when you see an athlete, why should I have to look at some chick’s zits? Why not a little blush on her lips and cover those zits?”

High: North and South Korean gymnasts buddy up

Despite the division and conflict between their nations, two Olympic gymnasts chatted and laughed together before their competition. South Korean gymnast Lee Eun-ju and and North Korea’s Hong Un-jong took a selfie together that’s been a called an “icon of unity,” capturing the true spirit of the Olympics: international cooperation.

High: Leslie Jones’s Olympic spirit

If there were a medal for “world’s most enthusiastic Olympics fan,” the Ghostbusters star would surely win it. Jones’s glee, shared in a spirituous stream on her Twitter feed, was infectious — and encouraging at just the right moments. No stranger to Internet hate, the Saturday Night Live comedian started the hashtag #LOVE4GABBYUSA after Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas was criticized online for not appearing happy for her teammates. 

Low: Eugenie Bouchard’s dedication is scrutinized

Former Olympic rower Adam Kreek questioned whether tennis player Eugenie Bouchard really wanted to win during a CBC segment. Kreek suggested Bouchard, who has been playing and training since she was five, might “want something different than to be a competitor” because her Instagram account includes photos of her “holding up the toothpaste, trying different hairstyles.” He was criticized on social media by several athletes, including fellow rower Adam van Koeverden, who penned a post online. It’s not “a lesson in tennis Adam needs, it’s a lesson in feminism,” wrote van Koeverden.

High: Chatelaine editor takes on Michael Phelps’s breakfast

On Day 11, Katie Underwood set out to achieve the impossible: eat Michael Phelps’s Olympic breakfast live on the Internet. On the menu: one five-egg omelette, three chocolate chip pancakes, three pieces of French toast, a bowl of Cream of Wheat, three fried-egg sandwiches and two cups of coffee. One hour and 26 minutes after she began, Underwood hung up her bib, having cleared roughly half the meal. It was an gold-medal effort.

High: Wrestler Erica Wiebe wins gold

Women’s heavyweight champ Erica Wiebe wrestled a perfect, gold-medal winning match, becoming the third woman to win the top prize for Canada this Games. Afterward, a delighted Wiebe gave her coach a piggyback ride to celebrate. 

More: I ate Michael Phelps’s Olympic breakfast so you don’t have to
Diver’s Olympic win upstaged by her boyfriend’s marriage proposal
Olympics medal count: Here all all the Canadian women who’ve won