Chasing gold
In just a few weeks, all eyes will be on Paris as top athletes from around the world compete for gold in the 2024 Olympics. The Olympics never fails to deliver high-caliber sports entertainment as qualifying nations put forth only their best and brightest candidates to represent them at the games. Here are some of the most highly-anticipated athletes to watch for this year, according to NBC Olympics.
Alex Morgan
USA | Soccer
Alex Morgan, who debuted in 2012 as a young star, is now a key leader for the U.S. team. With a decade of experience as a top striker, she aims to help her team win a gold medal.
Jamie Smed, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Amit Elor
USA | Wrestling
Amit Elor, a 20-year-old wrestler, hopes to follow the success of former U.S. female wrestlers by transitioning to the 68kg division. She has become the youngest female in history to join the U.S. Olympic wrestling team.
Anna Hall
USA | Track & Field
Anna Hall, a track and field athlete, secured a spot on Team USA for the Paris Olympics. She had after missing out on Tokyo due to a foot injury during the 2020 trials.
Erik van Leeuwen, Wikimedia Commons
Ashleigh Johnson
USA | Waterpolo
Ashleigh Johnson is a top female water polo goalkeeper who achieved great success with the U.S. team, winning two Olympic gold medals and four world titles. She hopes to continue on a streak of success in Paris.
VOGUE Taiwan, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Bill May
USA | Artistic Swimming
Male artistic swimmers will make their Olympic debut in Paris, allowing Bill May, aged 45 and a six-time global champion, to fulfill his lifelong dream of competing in the Olympics.
Breanna Stewart
USA | Basketball
Breanna Stewart is a star athlete on the U.S. women's basketball team. She was named MVP in the Tokyo Olympics, and also broke the league's scoring record in 2023.
BDZ Sports, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Caeleb Dressel
USA | Swimming
Dressel gears up for his third Olympics in Paris after unexpected break in 2022. He did return to the pool at the 2023 U.S. Open winning the men's 100-m butterfly
JD Lasica, CC BY 2.0 , Wikimedia Commons
Carissa Moore
USA | Surfing
Carissa Moor is the current Olympic champion and a five-time world champion in surfing. She looks to obtain another gold in Paris, but she plans to retire after the Olympics.
CeeX, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Casey Kaufhold
USA | Archery
Casey Kaufhold, a 17-year-old from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is the U.S. representative for Olympic archery. She placed second in the 2021 World Championships and fourth in the 2023 Worlds.
Christian Coleman
USA | Track & Field
Christian Coleman was disquafied at the Tokyo Games for missed drug tests, but he's good to go for Paris. To challenge his rivals like Noah Lyles in the 100m event, Coleman needs a strong finish after placing sixth in Rio.
jenaragon94, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
CJ Nickolas
USA | Taekwondo
CJ Nickolas is a Taekwondo superstar and one to watch this Olympic games. He won second at the World Championships breaking a loss streak for American men since 2009. He also holds the second spot in the 80 kg category and won gold at the 2023 Pan American Games.
Coco Gauff
USA | Tennis
After missing the 2020 Olympics due to COVID-19, Coco Gauff bounced back with improved tennis skills. In 2022, she reached the French Open finals for singles and doubles, then won her first Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open in 2023.
All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
David Taylor
USA | Wrestling
David Taylor is an Olympic champion in the 86 kg category and three-time world champion. In Paris, he will meet his rival Iran's Hassan Yazdani once again, hopefully securing a showdown with him in the finals.
Jørgen Løken, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Diana Taurasi
USA | Basketball
Diana Taurasi is a legend in the world of women's USA Basketball, and she may make history at the Paris Olympics by winning her sixth gold medal. If she does, she would surpass Sue Bird and set a new record.
Frederick Richard
USA | Gymnastics
In a historic moment, Fred became the first American male athlete to win a world gymnastics championship all-around medal since 2010. He could continue his history-making streak in Paris this year as he eyes the gold medal.
Gavin Bottger
USA | Skateboarding
17-year-old Gavin Bottger is a rising star in men's park skateboarding, winning first at Dew Tour and multiple X Games medals. He is the current world champion and top-ranked in the discipline.
Hannah Roberts
USA | Cycling
After winning five world titles, Hannah Roberts is now focused on achieving an Olympic gold medal. After finishing second in Tokyo, she is favored to win in the upcoming Women's BMX Freestyle event. In 2019, she made history by being the first woman to successfully perform a 360 tailwhip.
Nicholas Sheard, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ilona Maher
USA | Rugby
Ilona Maher's social media influence and the experienced players on the U.S. team make them top contenders for medals at the Paris Games. Maher's TikTok fame adds to their confidence.
Jack Alexy
USA | Swimming
Alexy emerged as a top male sprint swimmer for Team USA in just one year, winning silver medals at the 2023 World Swimming Championships. He is a strong contender for gold in Paris.
Jagger Eaton
USA | Skateboarding
Eaton excels in skateboarding, having dominated street and park events in the past despite a broken ankle. He won bronze at Tokyo Olympics and continues to achieve victories.
RuinDig/Yuki Uchida, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Jahmal Harvey
USA | Boxing
American male boxers won three silver medals in Tokyo, and Jahmal Harvey hopes to continue their winning streak. USA Boxing plans to show strong performances in the Paris Games.
Jennifer Valente
USA | Cycling
Jennifer Valente, the sole American cyclist to win gold in Tokyo, could repeat in Paris. The San Diego native excelled in the omnium and team pursuit at the last two Games.
Ray Rogers, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Jimmer Fredette
USA | Basketball
Jimmer Fredette famously went from NBA disappointment to success in 3x3 basketball. Now a key player on the U.S. team, he helped secure a second-place finish at the World Cup and aims to win gold at the Paris Olympics.
Mike, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Jordan Larson
USA | Volleyball
Jordan Larson, U.S. women's volleyball national team captain, seeks a second Olympic gold in Paris. She won bronze in 2012, silver in 2016, and gold in Tokyo in her three Olympic appearances.
Sakhalinio, CC BY-SA 4.0 , Wikimedia Commons
Kara Kohler
USA | Rowing
Kara Kohler won bronze at the 2012 Olympics before switching from quadruple sculls to single sculls placed. She placed third at World Cup II and fourth at Worlds 2023. She looks to assist the U.S. rowing team in Paris.
Kate Douglass
USA | Swimming
Douglass is set to shine in the Paris Olympics. The native New Yorker has won 14 world championship medals, including 4 titles. Strong in 200 m IM and breaststroke, she will participate in the U.S. relay teams.
Katie Ledecky
USA | Swimming
Ledecky is on track to become the greatest female Olympic swimmer ever in Paris. Making her debut at 15 in London 2012, the Maryland native is a dominant force in women's distance freestyle. Despite the upcoming competition, she is expected to win more gold in Paris.
Oleg Bkhambri (Voltmetro), CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Kelly Cheng
USA | Beach Volleyball
Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes from the US won the beach volleyball world championships in Mexico by beating the defending champions in straight sets. They will reunite in Paris to try to recreate the winning magic.
Ernie Tyler, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Kristen Nuss
USA | Beach Volleyball
Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss make a rather unique U.S. beach volleyball team as they have the largest height difference of any other team. Despite this, they won a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships and will be representing their country in Paris.
Future Publishing, Getty Images
LeBron James
USA | Basketball
Lebron James has been a strong advocate of the Paris Olympics, urging other American athletes to join. He already has two gold and one bronze Olympic medals, along with his NBA accomplishments.
Keith Allison , CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Lee Kiefer
USA | Fencing
At Tokyo Games, Lee Kiefer of Kentucky became first American to win individual foil gold by defeating Inna Deriglazova 15-13. She holds top ranking and is heading to Paris for the peak of her career.
Marie-Lan Nguyen, CC-BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Lilia Vu
USA | Golf
Lilia Vu, a golfer from Orange County, California, dominated the 2023 season with four LPGA Tour wins and two major titles. She ended the tour as the world's top-ranked player.
Natalia Grossman
USA | Sport Climbing
Natalia Grossman is the world bouldering champion. She won the Pan American Games in the combined discipline and is expected to shine at Paris 2024 Olympics with Brooke Raboutou.
Auroragonzales, Wikimedia Commons
Nelly Korda
USA | Golf
Nelly Korda is the a middle sibling in her highly athletic family. After facing challenges in previous seasons, she dominates in 2024, winning four out of five LPGA Tour tournaments and maintaining her top ranking in women's golf. She looks to defend her Tokyo gold medal in Paris.
Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Nevin Harrison
USA | Canoeing
Nevin Harrison, 21, secured America's first canoeing Olympic gold in Tokyo. Since then, she has become a global sensation, and she is all set to defend her title in Paris.
Власність Міністерства молоді та спорту України, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Nick Itkin
USA | Fencing
Three years ago, Nick Itkin helped the U.S. men's foil team win bronze in Tokyo. He is now the top-ranked fencer globally and a frontrunner for gold in Paris
Noah Lyles
USA | Track & Field
American track and field star Noah Lyles aims to win every medal in Paris after winning gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay events at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. His last Olympic performance in Tokyo landed him a bronze.
Erik van Leeuwen, Wikimedia Commons
Nyjah Huston
USA | Skateboarding
Nyjah Huston is making a comeback at the Olympics in Paris after injuring his ACL in 2022. The popular skateboarder is hoping to improve on his seventh-place finish in Tokyo.
Eclecticza, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Olivia Reeves
USA | Weightlifting
At just 20 years old, Olivia Reeves from Chattanooga, Tennessee is a rising star in weightlifting. She secured a spot on Team USA for Paris as the second-best athlete in the 71kg category, impressively breaking three American records at the IWF World Cup in Thailand.
Perry Baker
USA | Rugby
Perry Baker, known as "Speedstick," announces that he will retire after his final Olympics. Leading a young U.S. rugby team, he aims to shock despite low expectations, holding impressive records in the sport.
Daniel, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Regan Smith
USA | Swimming
Regan Smith, former record holder in backstroke, excels in butterfly swimming. Won three medals at Tokyo Olympics, aims for first gold in Paris, facing Canada's Summer McIntosh and Australia's Kaylee McKeown.
JD Lasica, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ryan Crouser
USA | Track & Field
Ryan Crouser, the #1 shot putter of all time, is set to make history by winning three Olympic gold medals. He alaready won gold at Rio and Tokyo, so he just needs Paris.
UCinternational, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Sam Watson
USA | Sport Climbing
At a World Cup competition in April, Sam Watson broke the speed climbing world record twice, clocking in at 4.79 seconds. Veddriq Leonardo's previous record of 4.90 seconds was surpassed, setting up a potential showdown in Paris.
Sarah Hughes
USA | Beach Volleyball
Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes dominated collegiate beach volleyball at USC. They won the NCAA championships,, turned pro in 2017, and teamed up for the Tokyo Olympics but split in 2018. They then reunited in late 2022 and became global champions. Now, they look towards Paris for a gold medal win.
Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Scottie Scheffler
USA | Golf
Scottie Scheffler is the top threat in men's golf, winning his second Masters Tournament with an impressive run. He secured a spot on the U.S. Olympic team and will debut in Paris.
Titleist, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Sha'Carri Richardson
USA | Track & Field
Sha'Carri Richardson broke the gold medal dry spell for American women in the 100 m race at the 2023 World Track and Field Championships. She was disqualified from the Tokyo Olympics, so her redemption is coming in Paris this year.
filip bossuyt, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Shilese Jones
USA | Gymnastics
Shilese Jones was not chosen for Tokyo, but has since won six world medals at the last two championships. In 2023, she earned bronze in the all-around category. Jones has won national titles and silver medals, displaying potential for success in Paris.
Travis Wise, CC BY 2.0 , Wikimedia Commons
Simone Biles
USA | Gymnastics
Simone Biles is referred to as the greatest of all time, and for good reason. She is close to becoming the most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history with one more medal. She could potentially rank second among the women's gymnastics Olympic medal leaders.
Agência Brasil Fotografias, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Sophia Smith
USA | Soccer
At 20 years old, Sophia Smith debuted with the U.S. team in 2020. Scoring 16 goals and 7 assists in 44 games, she leads the team towards the Paris Games. Recently, Smith renewed her contract with the Portland Thorns, becoming the highest-paid NWSL player in 2024.
Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Steph Curry
USA | Basketball
Stephen Curry will join USA Basketball's men's team for the Paris Olympics led by Warriors coach Steve Kerr. Curry, a NBA champ, MVP, and three-point leader, aims to win a gold medal.
Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
USA | Track & Field
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Olympic gold medalist, keeps her event focus for Paris Games undisclosed. A knee injury led to her withdrawal from 2023 Worlds, but she remains a top athlete for the upcoming Olympics.
Bob Ramsak, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Taryn Kloth
USA | Beach Volleyball
At the AVP Huntington Beach Open, Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth are the top women's seeds and ranked second globally, trailing only Ana Patricia and Duda. Their unique background and Olympic journey will surely attract attention at the Paris Games.
Trinity Rodman
USA | Soccer
Trinity Rodman, daughter of Dennis Rodman, debuted for the U.S. team at 19 years old, joining Morgan and Smith as forwards at the 2023 World Cup. She will aim to strike gold at Paris this year alongside teammates Alex Morgan and Sophia Smith.
S. Davis, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Victor Montalvo
USA | Breaking
Mexican b-boy Victor Montalvo, son of a wealthy breakdancer, is a top contender for the men's gold medal in breaking at the Paris Games. He qualified by winning gold at the 2023 World Championships.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos, Getty Images
Vincent Hancock
USA | Shooting
Vincent Hancock is looking to make history for the U.S. at the Paris Olympics by potentially becoming one of six American shooters with at least four gold medals. He has already won gold in men's skeet at the Beijing, London, and Tokyo Games and now has the chance to add more with the introduction of mixed team skeet.
U.S. Army, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Xander Schauffele
USA | Golf
Xander Schauffele, a top male golfer without a major win, holds a gold medal from Tokyo Olympics. Ranked 3rd in OWGR, he performed well at Masters and is expected to secure a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.
Ryan Casey Aguinaldo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
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