The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris continue to capture global attention with a plethora of activities and star-studded moments.
The games are buzzing with excitement as athletes and fans from around the world gather to celebrate this grand event.
Among the many heartwarming moments, Serena Williams and her seven-year-old daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, have captured the spotlight.
Olympia’s infectious enthusiasm and a special gift from Kenyan players have made headlines, touching hearts across the globe.
During the games, Serena, her husband Alexis Ohanian, and their daughter shared several delightful moments.
In one video, a keen-eyed fan noticed a Kenyan flag wristband on Olympia’s wrist.
The fan, South Africa-based Kenyan Winnie Njuguna, took to social media platform X to inquire about it, asking Alexis where his daughter got the wristband.
“Where did she get this wristband? Looks like beadwork of the Kenyan flag,” Winnie wondered.
Alexis quickly responded, confirming that Kenyan players had gifted the bracelet to Olympia. “From some Kenyan players!
She was so excited to meet them and ask for their pin (and they gave her an even better upgrade with that bracelet!),” he explained.
This simple yet profound interaction highlighted the universal spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect that the Olympics embody.
The Kenyan bracelet, with its distinctive beadwork, has become a global phenomenon.
Film producer Faith Koli shared her experience, noting that kids outside Kenya are fascinated by these bracelets, especially after Kenyan athletes excel in events.
“Kids away from home are fascinated by these Kenyan bracelets. We have handed out dozens of them!” she wrote in response to Ohanian’s tweet.
The popularity of the Kenyan bracelet extends beyond this Olympics. At the 2020 Tokyo Games, US Olympian Sarah Sponcil received one from her Kenyan counterparts.
Serena Williams at Olympics
Cherishing the gift, she chose Kenya as her first stop when partnering with World Concern for humanitarian work.
The bracelet has even saved lives. Kenyan journalist Sharon Barang’a recounted how, during a visit to Mandela House in Soweto, South Africa, she got lost amidst xenophobic tensions.
The bracelet caught the eye of another Kenyan, who helped her find her way back to her hotel, highlighting the bracelet’s profound impact.
Serena Williams and her family, backing Team USA, continue to inspire with their presence, spreading joy and unity at this global celebration.