We saw some truly tense faces at the Paris Olympics as the world’s best athletes focused on their sport amid twists and turns, some suspended in mid-air and others preparing to perform.

This applies to weightlifters who have to take bars with so much weight on both ends and lift them over their heads. Of course, they have to use their whole body, including their face. I promise we are not making fun of anyone here. We are in awe!

Here is a selection of the best photos we found during the weightlifting competitions at the Paris Olympic Games.

PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 08: Zhiyong Shi of Team People’s Republic of China attempts a snatch and clean and jerk during the Men’s -73kg Weightlifting on Day 13 of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the South Paris Arena on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 07: Mihaela Valentina Cambei of Team Romania performs a snatch and clean and jerk during the Women’s -49kg Weightlifting on day twelfth of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the South Paris Arena on August 07, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 07: Jourdan Delacruz of Team USA performs a snatch attempt during the Women’s -49kg Weightlifting on day twelfth of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the South Paris Arena on August 07, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 07: Mohamad Aniq Bin Kasdan of Team Malaysia performs a snatch and clean and jerk during the Men’s -61kg Weightlifting on day twelfth of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the South Paris Arena on August 07, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Thailand’s Surodchana Khambao competes in the women’s -49kg weightlifting event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the South Paris Arena in Paris on August 7, 2024. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)

Japan’s Rira Suzuki competes in the women’s -49kg weightlifting event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the South Paris Arena in Paris on August 7, 2024. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT – Nicola Velasco Lagatao of Guam competes in the women’s -49kg weightlifting event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the South Paris Arena in Paris on August 7, 2024. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT – Venezuela’s Katherin Echandia Zarate competes in the women’s -49kg weightlifting event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the South Paris Arena in Paris on August 7, 2024. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)

USA’s Hampton Morris competes in the men’s -61 kg weightlifting event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the South Paris Arena in Paris on August 7, 2024. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)