It’s Paris Olympics season, and I’ve never been so invested in sports in my life. Do you also find yourself constantly wondering how Simone Biles lands a Yurchenko double pike or how the pommel horse guy, Stephen Nedoroscik, delivers us stunning pommel horse-ing? My curiosity was close to killing the cat, so I did some research. It turns out, there’s a touch of training and hard work involved, but the answer truly lies in a powerful combination of Kelly Clarkson, The Killers, and DJ Khaled. An athlete is nothing without a pump-up playlist, and fortunately for us lowly civilians, a lot of Olympians have revealed their favorite motivational tunes.
I decided to do us all a favor and put all their recs into one game-changing playlist. I’m warning you now: Don’t be surprised if you listen to this and suddenly find yourself flipping in the air or pommel horse-ing. Here’s this year’s official Olympics playlist, based on the Olympians’ favorite warm-up songs.
Your Official Olympics Playlist, Based On Your Favorite Athletes’ Pre-Game Songs
“Stronger” (Kelly Clarkson)
The icon, the legend, the moment, Miss Simone Biles, revealed back in 2021 that Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger” is one of her go-to warm-up songs. BRB, gonna go listen to that song on repeat and see if I break a world record.
“Icon” (Jaden Smith)
During a press conference, tennis phenom Coco Gauff said that she’s listened to this Jaden song before every tournament for the last five years. TBH, Jaden is underrated, so she’s doing the lord’s work with this promo.
“High Hopes” (Panic! At The Disco)
Scottish taekwondo queen Rebecca McGowan isn’t tired of Panic! at the Disco yet. Happy for her!
“Diamonds” (Rihanna)
17-time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters is relying on the Rihanna classics until the Fenty Beauty founder mayyyybe gives us more one day.
“March Madness” (Future)
Veronica Fraley, an American discus thrower, told AP that this track gets her “in the zone.” She elaborated, “Kind of in the mood to be a fighter. It helps me come with my hardest energy.”
“Womanizer” (Britney Spears)
I can definitely get on board with this pick. McKenzie Coan, American Paralympian gold medalist in swimming, is a Britney stan. She also loves “Circus.” Taste!
“World’s Famous” (Malcolm McLaren)
Logan Edra is a member of the new American breakdancing crew, and she appreciates the nostalgia of this tune. “I felt like I was brought back to when breaking first started,” she told AP about listening to the song for the first time.
“Dog Days Are Over” (Florence + The Machine)
Team USA runner Nia Akins is a Florence girlie through and through!
“Perfect Timing” (Y.G. ft. Mozzy & Blxst)
Listening to “Perfect Timing” helps American track and field star Rachel Glenn get that “perfect timing” when she competes in the high jump and 400 hurdles.
“God Did” (DJ Khaled ft. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend, Fridayy)
I stand with America hurdler Cordell Tinch on this one… it’s not really a proper hype playlist without some DJ Khaled.
“I Am Here” (Pink)
American Paralympics cyclist Samantha Bosco is all about this classic Pink anthem, and I respect it.
“The Champion” (Carrie Underwood ft. Ludacris)
Who knew a collab between Carrie Underwood and Ludacris could be so powerful? American gymnastics star MyKayla Skinner uses this unexpected track to visualize her success.
“Mr. Brightside” (The Killers)
Team USA swimmer Jaime Czarkowski is kind of a basic bitch for this, but I forgive him. The Killers definitely put some kind of drug in here.
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” (Whitney Houston)
I totally get where American skateboarder Bryce Wettstein is coming from here, ’cause this song motivates me to get out of bed, which is basically the same thing as competing in the Olympics.
