With the Olympic Cauldron poised to ignite in Paris, and as Euro 2024 football teams gear up for kick-off, it felt right to dedicate the all-new summer issue of Dazed to today’s young sporting icons.
Our Ready, Set, Go edition not only celebrates the luminaries gracing Olympic stages, but shines a spotlight on the youthful energy infusing sports cultures worldwide. From the vibrant streets of a South Sudanese refugee camp where kung fu finds new life, to the gamer girls defying the sport’s gender bias in India, this issue seeks out the individuals and sporting communities at the top of their game, everywhere.
On the first of six covers for summer, American sprinter Noah Lyles, one of the world’s fastest men, stands in rare stillness behind the lens of Malick Bodian; South African pop sensation Tyla dazzles for photographer Hugo Comte; and Paralympic fencing champion Bebe Vio wields her sword in a stirring story of triumph. Meanwhile, Manchester United prodigy Kobbie Mainoo dreams of Euro glory; R&B sensation Normani presses the cultural reset button with her long-awaited album; and divisive streamer-sensation IShowSpeed showcases reflects on growing up in front on millions.
From the warp-speed bikers tearing through São Paulo’s backstreets, to Crystal Palace FC’s pioneering creative director Kenny Annan-Jonathan and Blackpool’s youngest dance competitors, this summer we have all bases covered.
Order a copy of Dazed’s Summer 2024 issue here.