Emma Raducanu, Suni Lee, and 12 Other Athletes Who Would Make an Epic Halloween Costume

Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.

After playing to empty stadiums for the better part of a year — if they were able to play at all — athletes were more than ready to turn the page and kick off the competition in 2021. And wow, has it been a hell of year for sports. We saw history made at the postponed Tokyo Olympics, from Katie Ledecky's historic 1,500-meter gold medal swim to basketball players Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi winning their fifth straight Olympic gold. Athletes shined in other venues, too — who could forget underdogs Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez battling it out at the US Open, marking the first all-teen Grand Slam final in 22 years?

Suffice to say, there's no shortage of Halloween costume inspiration from the world of sports. Learn how to re-create 2021's most talked-about sports moments in the slides ahead.

Katie Ledecky
Getty | Clive Rose

Katie Ledecky

In Tokyo, three-time Olympian Katie Ledecky added four medals to her already impressive collection, including a record sixth career individual gold — more than any other woman in her sport. Here's how to dress up as one of USA Swimming's biggest stars.

Simone Biles
Getty | Laurence Griffiths

Simone Biles

Simone Biles is undeniably the greatest gymnast of all time, but this year, her advocacy took center stage, cementing a legacy far greater than any gold, silver, or bronze medal (and she has plenty of those, too). This Halloween, rep her limited-edition red, white, and blue leotard.

Carli Lloyd
Getty | Jason Miller

Carli Lloyd

It's official: two-time World Cup champion and three-time Olympic medalist Carli Lloyd will hang up her cleats at the end of the NWSL season. Lloyd has worn the number 10 on the US women's national team for more than 15 years, scoring 134 international goals. Pay homage to one of the greatest soccer players of all time by sporting her jersey this Halloween.

Jessica Long
Getty | Rich Fury

Jessica Long

Swimmer Jessica Long has won an astonishing 29 Paralympic medals since first qualifying at the age of 12. She earned five of those medals this year in Tokyo, so when she was asked to present at the Emmys, Long had the perfect accessory to go with her gold shimmery dress.

Naomi Osaka
Getty | Jamie Squire

Naomi Osaka

Viewers around the world cheered when it was finally revealed that four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka would light the Olympic cauldron in Tokyo. Get the party started this Halloween by drawing inspiration from her opening-ceremony look, complete with a homemade or inflatable torch.

Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe
Getty | Kevin C. Cox

Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe

Look up couple goals in the dictionary, and you'll find basketball star Sue Bird and her fiancé, USWNT forward Megan Rapinoe. This legendary pair cheer each other on from the sidelines as much as their schedules will allow, and this summer in Tokyo, that meant that Rapinoe got to watch as Bird won a record fifth Olympic gold. Here's how you and your partner can re-create their sweet celebration.

For Sue:

For Megan:

Tatyana McFadden
Getty | Carmen Mandato

Tatyana McFadden

Tatyana McFadden made the podium three times at the Tokyo Paralympics — bringing her career Paralympic medal count to 20 — then turned around and raced four major marathons this fall, placing first and second in Chicago and Boston, which took place on consecutive days. Badass? We think so.

Carissa Moore
Getty | Pat Nolan

Carissa Moore

In September, just weeks after she captured the first-ever Olympic gold medal in surfing, Hawaii native Carissa Moore won her fifth World Surf League championship. It's safe to say she's had a pretty rad year. You'll get cool points, too, if you can convince some friends to hoist you atop their shoulders this Halloween.

Suni Lee
Getty | John Sheare

Suni Lee

Gymnast Suni Lee is conquering the world one flip (and one fabulous dress) at a time. Lee won gold in the Olympic women's all-around competition just two months ago, and since then, she's attended her first Met Gala and become a contestant on the current season of Dancing With the Stars. Below, find everything you need to re-create her iconic gold Met Gala dress.