As the world turns its eyes to the City of Light for the 33rd Summer Olympiad, Team USA is poised to make history once again. From July 26 to August 11, 2024, Paris will host an array of sporting events that promise to captivate global audiences. The United States, having dominated the medal count in the last three Summer Games, is sending a formidable delegation of both seasoned champions and rising stars. Here’s a look at ten American athletes who are set to make waves in the Seine and beyond.
The Returning Champions
Simone Biles: Defying Gravity and Expectations
At 27, Simone Biles is no longer the teenage phenomenon that took Rio 2016 by storm. Yet, her recent performances suggest she’s lost none of her magic. After a challenging Tokyo 2020, where she withdrew from most events due to a case of “the twisties,” Biles is back with a vengeance. Her triumph at the U.S. Team Trials, becoming the oldest all-around champion in American history, sends a clear message: the GOAT of gymnastics isn’t done yet.
Katie Ledecky: The Aquatic Assassin
With seven Olympic golds already under her cap, Katie Ledecky is swimming for the history books in Paris. The 27-year-old freestyle specialist is targeting multiple events, including the 400m, 800m, and 1500m. If she maintains her dominant form, Ledecky could leave France as the most decorated female swimmer in Olympic history, surpassing the current record of 12 medals.
Kevin Durant: Chasing Basketball Immortality
The hardwood of Paris 2024 could witness Kevin Durant etching his name in Olympic lore. Already tied with Carmelo Anthony for the most gold medals (3) by a U.S. men’s basketball player, Durant is gunning for an unprecedented fourth. Moreover, he’s within striking distance of becoming the all-time leading scorer in U.S. Olympic basketball history, needing just 54 points to surpass Lisa Leslie’s record.
The Redemption Seekers
Sha’Carri Richardson: Sprinting Towards Destiny
Perhaps no American athlete enters Paris with more to prove than Sha’Carri Richardson. The sprinter’s heartbreaking disqualification from Tokyo 2020 due to a failed drug test is now a distant memory. Fresh off her victory at the 2023 World Athletics Championships and a blistering performance at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Richardson is primed to show the world what it missed last time around.
Coco Gauff: Tennis’s Golden Girl
At just 20 years old, Coco Gauff is already a Grand Slam champion and the top-ranked American tennis player. Her Olympic debut, delayed by a COVID-19 diagnosis before Tokyo, is one of the most anticipated events of the Games. With her powerful groundstrokes and precocious poise, Gauff could serve up a golden performance on the clay courts of Roland Garros.
The Multi-Event Marvels
Noah Lyles: Sprinting for the Triple
Noah Lyles isn’t just fast; he’s ambitious. The sprinter is targeting an Olympic triple that hasn’t been achieved since Usain Bolt’s heyday: gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. His recent performances, including a world-leading time in the 200m at the U.S. Trials, suggest he’s peaking at the perfect moment. Lyles’ charisma and speed make him a must-watch athlete in Paris.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone: Hurdling Towards History
After setting the track world ablaze with her world record in the 400m hurdles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is eyeing multiple events in Paris. Her versatility was on full display this season, posting world-class times in the 200m and 400m flat. If she can translate this form to the Olympic stage, McLaughlin-Levrone could leave Paris as one of the Games’ most decorated athletes.
The New Guard
Trinity Rodman: Soccer’s Next Superstar
The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team has a rich Olympic legacy, and Trinity Rodman seems poised to carry that torch forward. The 22-year-old forward, daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, brings explosive speed and clinical finishing to a squad in transition. Watch for Rodman to make her mark as the USWNT aims for redemption after a disappointing showing in Tokyo.
Katie Grimes: Making Waves in Open Water
While much of the swimming spotlight falls on the pool, 18-year-old Katie Grimes is turning heads in open water. The youngest member of Team USA in Tokyo is now a medal favorite in the grueling 10km marathon swim. Grimes’ endurance and tactical acumen in this challenging discipline make her one of the most intriguing young athletes to follow.
Victor Montalvo: Breaking New Ground
As breaking makes its Olympic debut, all eyes will be on Victor Montalvo to showcase this dynamic art form. Known as “B-Boy Victor,” the 30-year-old brings decades of experience and a signature move called the “Supa Montalvo” to the competition. His performance could be pivotal in establishing breaking as a legitimate Olympic sport.
Looking Ahead
As Paris 2024 approaches, these ten athletes represent just a fraction of the talent Team USA brings to the Games. From the track to the pool, from the court to the breaking stage, American athletes are primed to continue their nation’s recent Olympic dominance. However, they’ll face stiff competition from a global field eager to knock Team USA off its perch.
The addition of new sports like breaking, along with the return of baseball and softball, provides fresh opportunities for medal glory. Meanwhile, traditional powerhouses like track and field, swimming, and basketball remain crucial battlegrounds in the overall medal count.
For many of these athletes, Paris represents more than just a chance at personal glory. It’s an opportunity to inspire the next generation, to push the boundaries of human performance, and to write their names in the annals of Olympic history. As the torch is lit and the Games begin, all of America – and indeed, the world – will be watching to see if these ten, along with their teammates, can rise to the occasion and deliver performances worthy of the five rings.
