Some people watch competitive sports for the game. Others revel in the athletes’ backstories. We're all about celebrating the jaw-dropping skills of athletes — and some of their equally amazing hair. Shaun White has his red curls, Cristiano Ronaldo shaves sweet designs on his goal-scoring noggin, and now, Swedish sprinter Iréne Ekelund has got our attention. The 19-year-old speed demon doesn’t just compete internationally for her country, she runs with bright braids that leave a mesmerizing streak of color in her wake.
In the past year, Ekelund has sported lilac, grey, and cobalt hair — both on the track and Instagram. She tells Vogue that she uses colored extensions to get the look. “It’s cool, because I can change the color without damage,” she says.
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While the stylish speedster won’t be running in Rio this year, fans can keep track of her latest accomplishments via social media. They don’t just include race results — the boss athlete, who has shared perfectly executed avatar makeup on Insta, posts YouTube beauty tutorials on her own channel, too.