Volleyball legends shine at historic PARiTY Paris runway show celebrating gender equality at the Olympic Games Paris 2024

In an important celebration of gender equality, PARiTY Paris marked the first gender-balanced Olympic Games with a groundbreaking runway fashion show yesterday, in partnership with The Coca-Cola Company and hosted by 4TheWalk. The event, orchestrated by four-time Olympian, Angela Ruggiero, along with fashion industry expert, Phoebe Mackay, brought together 24 Olympians and Paralympians to honour the 50/50 quota places at Paris 2024.

Among the renowned athletes gracing the runway were volleyball legends Danielle Scott, Kerri Walsh Jennings, and Natalie Cook.

Danielle Scott has represented the USA in five Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012), breaking a U.S. female volleyball athlete record for Olympic appearances and making her one of the most accomplished American athletes of all time.

Kerri Walsh Jennings is widely regarded as one of the greatest beach volleyball players in history. During her playing career, she won three consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games (2004, 2008 and 2012) and a bronze medal in Rio in 2016. She has also won numerous World Championship titles.

Natalie Cook is a distinguished, five-time Olympic beach volleyball player from Australia. She made her Olympic debut at Atlanta 1996, where she won a bronze medal. She then went on to triumph at Sydney 2000, where she and her partner Kerri Pottharst won the gold. Cook is now serving as a Director of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee, and holds a position on the World Olympians Association Board.

Other athletes on the runway included:

• Angela Ruggiero (USA, Ice Hockey, Co-Host)

• Dawn Staley (USA, Basketball)

• Pauline Ado (France, Surfing)

• Missy Franklin (USA, Swimmer)

• Eniola Aluko (England, Football)

• Amy Purdy (USA, Paralympian – Snowboarding)

• Heather Petri (USA, Water Polo)

• Nada Mohammed Wafa (Qatar, Swimmer)

• Sarah Walker (New Zealand, BMX)

• Sandrine Billiet (Belgium/Cabo Verde, Judo)

• Haydy Morsy (Egypt, Pentathlon)

• Ebony Morrison (Liberia, Hurdler)

• Catherine Raney-Norman (USA, Speed Skating) Alejandra Benítez Romero (Venezuela, Fencing)

• Ayenda – Formerly known as the Afghanistan Youth Women’s National Football Team (Afghanistan, Football)

• Janet Evans (USA, Swimming)

• Kate Johnson (USA, Rowing)

• Angella Goran (Canada, Cycling National Team)

• Arielle Chambers (USA, Co-Host)

• Katie Hoff (USA, Swimming)

• Athing Mu (USA, Middle Distance Runner)

The runway show, which featured live music by Madame Gandhi, was a testament to the continued growth of women in sports and showcased the power of female athletes in the global fashion landscape.

The FIVB proudly supports the contributions of Danielle, Kerri, Natalie and all of these remarkable athletes in championing gender equality and inspiring future generations of athletes on the world’s biggest stage.