2024 Olympics: Meet the Team USA Athletes Going for Gold

I’m absolutely in awe of these incredible athletes and their inspiring journeys to Paris for the Olympics. Jessica Long, the 29-time Paralympic medalist, continues to defy expectations with her determination and grace in the pool. Her unwavering spirit and resilience are truly remarkable.

Ready to dive into the 2024 Olympics?

In Paris starting July 26, not only will there be an actual dip into a deep pool, approximately 16 feet, but also the worldwide event unfolding will provide an abundance of beloved sports for Summer Games enthusiasts during the Olympics on August 28, and the Paralympics following.

Team USA boasts an abundance of stellar athletes and captivating narratives. For instance, Simone Biles spearheads the experienced U.S. women’s gymnastics team in their quest to regain the top spot, while the men’s soccer squad aims to leave a mark at their inaugural Olympics since 2008. Additionally, sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson is gunning for redemption, and swimmer Katie Ledecky stands poised to dominate the 800-meter race for her fourth consecutive Olympic Games victory.

It’s truly significant that she could make history by being the first female swimmer to achieve this milestone, just as Michael Phelps did when he won four consecutive Olympic gold medals in the men’s 200-meter individual medley. (Michael Phelps will be in Paris working as a commentator for NBC Sports.)

In her conversation with the Associated Press, Ledecky shared that her objectives aren’t about being the first to accomplish a particular feat or matching the achievements of specific individuals. Instead, she emphasized that her focus is on improving her personal best times, split times, and refining her technique.

I’ve been following swimming for years, and let me tell you, watching Katie Ledecky compete is a sheer delight. Her graceful strokes through the water are a sight to behold. But as much as I’d love to join her in the pool, my role is simply to sit back and enjoy the show. It’s her journey, after all, and her life experience that led her to this point. My job is just to appreciate her talent and skill.

Before you find yourself surrounded by red, white, and blue – these are the colors of both France and the United States, remember – take some time to familiarize yourself with the American athletes who will be spearheading Team USA’s ongoing effort to secure the most medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics.

Simone Biles holds the record as the most decorated gymnast ever, period. However, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist for the all-around event has some unfinished business in Paris. Her experience with “the twisties” led her to withdraw from most competitions at the 2021 Tokyo Games.

Representing Team USA alongside Biles are Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera.

Alyssa Naeher, the experienced women’s national soccer team goalkeeper, boasts two World Cup victories and an impressive set of statistics. However, there is a notable absence on her resume that she longs to fill – winning gold with Paris following the squad’s third-place finish in Tokyo.

Sha’Carri Richardson, the accomplished sprinter, was anticipated to compete in her first Olympics in Tokyo. However, her Olympic debut was disrupted following a positive marijuana test. Despite this setback, as the current world champion in the 100 meters, she remains a strong contender to outrun the competition at Paris’ upcoming event.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: I’ve had the privilege of watching swimming sensation Katie Ledecky make history time and again. With an impressive collection of ten Olympic medals, including seven golds, she’s truly a force to be reckoned with in the pool. Notably, she was also bestowed the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom last May. Preparing for her fourth Olympic Games, Katie has the remarkable opportunity to etch her name in the record books as the first female swimmer to win gold four consecutive times. All eyes will be on her when she competes in the 800 meters. Let’s root for her to dominate once more!

At the Olympics, men’s soccer teams must consist only of players aged 23 or younger; three exceptions can be made for older “overage” players. Consequently, veteran defender Walker Zimmerman believed his aspiration to compete on this global platform had been dashed when the U.S. men didn’t qualify in 2016.

At 31 years old, I can relate to the excitement and gratitude of getting an opportunity, especially when it comes unexpectedly during a pivotal year in one’s life. The LA Times‘ interview with this individual struck a chord with me as I recalled my own experiences of waiting for that elusive break or chance to prove myself. Their enthusiasm was palpable and contagious, making me believe that no matter how old you are, the feeling of being given an opportunity never gets old. It’s a reminder that perseverance and hard work can pay off in the most unexpected ways.

In an interview with NBC Sports in 2021, just before they missed qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics, runner Nikki Hiltz shared that if someone had asked them then if they regretted coming out as trans and nonbinary, they would have answered yes.

I was absolutely captivated by Hiltz’s unyielding determination. She refused to let go of her quest for truth and excellence in the 1500m event. In the thrilling year of 2023, she claimed both the U.S. indoor and outdoor titles in this category. Her achievements didn’t stop there, as she repeated her impressive indoor title in 2024. The women’s 1500m final at Trials on June 30th was no exception to her dominance; I watched in awe as she set the field ablaze with her remarkable time of 3:55.33.

“Today is the final day of Pride Month, and I ran this race in support of my community,” Hiltz shared with NBC Sports at the finish line.

Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old tennis star who triumphed at the 2023 U.S. Open, currently holds the second spot in global rankings. She is all set to participate in her first Olympics after her Olympic aspirations were hampered by a positive COVID-19 test earlier.

In the United States, Victor Montalavo ranks first, while globally he holds the second position. Prepared to shock the Olympics, B-boy Victor Montalvo, a leading figure in the breaking scene, is set to make his mark as this popular dance style makes its historic debut at the Paris Games.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: When it comes to the U.S. men’s basketball team, there’s always more than one standout player. But among them, the four-time NBA champion LeBron James stands out. This Olympics is likely his last one, and what an honor it is for him to be chosen as one of Team USA’s two flagbearers at the Opening Ceremony on July 26th.

James told reporters he was “super-appreciative and-super humbled” by the honor.

Wheelchair rugby is incredibly cool and impressive, as demonstrated by Chuck Aoki’s achievements with the US Paralympic team since 2012. He has earned a bronze medal and two silver medals, so securing a gold in Paris would be an excellent addition to his accolades.

I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Hunter Woodhall beyond just being Tara Davis-Woodhall’s supportive partner. This University of Arkansas graduate is not only an impressive long jumper but also an outstanding sprinting athlete. With two Paralympic titles under his belt and the first-ever double-amputee scholar in NCAA Division I history, Hunter is heading to Paris with confidence. He has dominated the men’s T62 400m and T62 100m events at Trials.

Two beach volleyball players, who are best friends and former Louisiana State University teammates, Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss, were not yet professionals when, in April 2021, Nuss presented Kloth with an ankle bracelet as a birthday gift. The bracelet bore the inscription “August 11, 2024.”

If you’re guessing that’s the date of the women’s finals at the Paris Olympics, you are correct.

Oksana Masters, a six-time Paralympian, was born with radiation-connected defects in Ukraine in 1989. These defects included webbed fingers and tibial malformation, which were linked to the Chernobyl disaster. Raised in Louisville, Kentucky, by her adoptive mother Gay Masters, Oksana endured several surgeries, including leg amputations at the ages of 9 and 14. Following these procedures, she discovered a passion for rowing.

For the seven-time Paralympic medalist, whether it’s sun or snow, it makes no difference. Heading into Paris, she is prepared to compete in cycling events at the Summer Paralympics, adding to her impressive collection of three Winter Paralympic medals as a para-cross-country skier and para-biathlete, and three Summer Paralympic medals as a para-cyclist and para-rower.

After coming in second place just before the podium at the Tokyo competition, surfer Caroline Marks is eager to claim her 2023 world title and carry that victory to the Olympic Games – but not in Paris. Instead, all the surfing events will unfold at Teahupo’o on Tahiti, a significant distance of almost 10,000 miles from the rest of the Olympic celebrations.

Jessica Long, the 29-time medalist and six-time Paralympic swimmer, whose Instagram profile states “Born without legs yet living an extraordinary life,” is gearing up for her sixth participation in the Paralympics. At this stage in her career, with sixteen gold medals under her belt, it seems she’s primarily competing to add more accolades to her impressive collection.

A’ja Wilson, a two-time WNBA MVP with the Las Vegas Aces, will spearhead the US women’s basketball team as they aim for their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal. The men’s team, on the other hand, is working towards securing their fifth straight victory after being defeated in 2004.

At the Tokyo Olympics, butterfly and freestyle swimming sensation Caeleb Dressel effortlessly earned five gold medals, bringing his total Olympic gold count to an impressive seven. This will be the third Olympic appearance for Dressel, and his first as a new father. In February, he welcomed his son, August Wilder Dressel, into the world with his wife, Meghan Dressel.

After Jessica Parratto and Delaney Schnell won the silver medal for women’s synchronized 10m platform at the Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first-ever medalists in this event for Team USA, the 5-foot-2 athlete decided to retire and live a normal life as she shared with NBC Sports.

For approximately a year, she stayed away from the pool at Schnell’s persuasion. However, it is important to note that Parratto herself admitted that her decision to return to swimming before qualifying for Paris was not due to Schnell’s wishes, but rather her own desire.

Additionally, she wasn’t discouraged by the camaraderie. At the Montreal Diving World Cup in May, during Parratto’s initial international return from retirement after Schnell tapped her feet, they shared a special moment that strengthened their bond. She expressed, “It felt like a great connection experience for us, and we were able to reassure each other: we can handle this challenge together.”

At the 2024 Olympic Trials, Fred Richard from the United States emerged as the highest scorer among the men’s gymnasts, leaving fans excited about the possibility of him contributing to the U.S. team securing an Olympic podium finish for the first time since 2008. As a multiple champion in the NCAA all-around and on events like horizontal bars and parallel bars from the University of Michigan, Richard’s inclusion could be pivotal.

2024-07-24 10:18

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