What to know about Team USA for the Paris Olympics
Orri Benatar
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Nearly 600 athletes from across the 50 states will be in Paris for the Olympics over the next two weeks.
Team USA once again brings a strong contingent of some of the best athletes in the world. Familiar faces will look to make more history, while numerous teams bring a collection of great athletes from the United States’ major professional leagues.
Elsewhere, the Americans have stars in the lesser-known sports and are favorites to top the Olympic medal table once again. Here is what to know about Team USA for the Paris Olympics.
The stars
Simone Biles (Gymnastics) – The 27-year-old is back for her third Olympics and can become just the second woman to win two all-around gold medals.
Katie Ledecky (Swimming) – Ledecky is three medals away from passing Jenny Thompson as the most decorated female American Olympian of all-time.
Caeleb Dressel (Swimming) – The Floridian has never lost a medal race in his Olympic career, boasting seven golds. He will look to make it 10 after Paris.
Regan Smith (Swimming) – A world record holder, Smith won three medals in Tokyo but none of them were gold. She will look to change that in the three individual events she is slated for.
Noah Lyles (Track) – The double sprint world champion is aiming to become the first American man to win the Olympic 100-meter and 200-meter races in 20 years.
Sha’Carri Richardson (Track) – An American woman has not won the 100-meter dash since 1996 and Richardson, who missed out on Tokyo, is the favorite to break that drought.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Track) – The 23-year-old has already claimed two Olympic gold medals and a plethora of world records. She enters as the favorite in the 400-meter hurdles.
Simone Biles waves during introductions for the U.S. Gymnastics Championships Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
FILE – Katie Ledecky, of the United States, reacts after winning the women’s 1500-meters freestyle final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, July 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Ledecky started off the U.S. national championships Tuesday, June 27, 2023, with a dazzling performance in the 800-meter freestyle. She turned in her fastest time since setting the world record at the 2016 Rio Olympics. At 26, Ledecky has already sealed her legacy as one of the greatest freestyle swimmers the sport has ever witnessed, yet she shows no signs of slowing down. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – APRIL 13: Caeleb Dressel reacts after competing in the Men’s 50m Freestyle final on Day 4 of the TYR Pro Swim Series San Antonio at Northside Swim Center on April 13, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 20: Regan Smith of the United States competes in the Women’s 200m butterfly final on Day Six of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium on June 20, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Noah Lyles celebrates after winning the men’s 100-meter final during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Sunday, June 23, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson reacts after crossing the finish line to win the women’s 4x100m relay final during the World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest on August 26, 2023. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP) (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)
EUGENE, OREGON – JULY 24: Sydney McLaughlin of Team United States celebrates winning gold in the Women’s 4x400m Relay Final on day ten of the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 at Hayward Field on July 24, 2022 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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Team sports
Basketball – LeBron James and Stephen Curry lead a men’s team with high chances of winning a fifth straight gold medal, and a WNBA superstar team looks certain to win an eighth straight women’s gold medal.
Soccer – For the first time since 2008, two USA soccer squads are going to the Olympics. A young American men’s roster has aspirations past the group stage while the women’s new look roster seeks a first gold since 2012.
Indoor Volleyball – The women enter as the defending champion and can be the first repeat winners since 2012 while the men are hoping to return to the podium after no medal in Tokyo.
Beach Volleyball – Women’s duo Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes can join a legendary list of American beach volleyball gold medalists while both men’s pairs are hoping to produce upsets.
Water Polo – Women’s water polo is favored to win a fourth straight gold medal as the men are on the outside looking in toward multiple European powerhouses.
Rugby – The Americans are bringing two teams with hopes to earn the first medal in the sport. The women’s chances are slightly better than the men’s.
Women’sField Hockey – An American women’s field hockey team is in the Olympics for the first time since 2016, hoping to create some upsets in a tough group.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 10: (R-L) Devin Booker #15, LeBron James #6 and Anthony Davis #14 of the United States run onto the court for an exhibition game against Canada ahead of the Paris Olympic Games at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States defeated Canada 86-72. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 01: Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, A’Ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu of the United States celebrate Team USA winning the Gold Medal during the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Final match between USA and China at Sydney Superdome, on October 01, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
BORDEAUX, FRANCE – JULY 12: Walker Zimmerman prepares to receive the ball during USMNT U23 training on July 12, 2024 in Bordeaux, France. (Photo by Andrea Vilchez/ISI/Getty Images)
COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO – JUNE 01: Sophia Smith #11, Trinity Rodman #22, and Lindsey Horan #10 of the United States celebrate after playing the Korea Republic at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 01, 2024 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA – JULY 14: Members of the United States volleyball teams pose for photos during an Olympic send-off celebration after a Women’s match between the United States and Netherlands as part of the 2024 USA Volleyball Cup presented by hoag at Walter Pyramid on July 14, 2024 in Long Beach, California. The United States defeated Netherlands 3-1. (Photo by Kaelin Mendez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Beach volleyball players Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes pose during the Team USA Paris 2024 Olympic Portrait Shoot at NBC Universal Studios Stage 16 on November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
FUKUOKA, JAPAN – JULY 28: Ashleigh Johnson of USA, Madeline Musselman of USA, Tara Prentice of USA, Rachel Fattal of USA, Maggie Steffens of USA, Jewel Roemer of USA, Ryann Neushul of USA, Emily Mary Ausmus of USA, Kaleigh Gilchrist of USA, Bayley Weber of USA, Jenna Michelle Flynn of USA, Amanda Longan of USA, Jordan Raney of USA listening to headcoach Adam Krikorian of USA during the World Aquatics Championships 2023 Women’s Waterpolo 5th-6th place decider match between USA and Hungary on July 28, 2023 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Albert ten Hove/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
CHOFU, JAPAN – JULY 31: Team United States huddles in the Women’s Placing 5-8 match between Team United States and Team China during the Rugby Sevens on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 06: Meredith Sholder of the United States celebrates with team mates during the FIH Pro League Women’s match between USA and Great Britain at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on June 06, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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Other athletes to watch
Brady Ellison (Archery) – In his fifth Olympics, Ellison is considered the greatest American archer as he looks to add to his three-medal tally.
Nevin Harrison (Canoe) – Harrison, 22, made history in Tokyo winning the inaugural C-1 200-meter sprint race for America’s first ever canoe gold medal. She aims for a repeat in Paris.
Jessica Parratto, Delaney Schnell (Diving) – The platform diving pair reunite after claiming silver in the synchronized event in Tokyo.
Lee Kiefer (Fencing) – The Cleveland native aims to win a second consecutive Olympic title in the individual foil event.
Scottie Scheffler (Golf) – The world’s top male golfer is the favorite to add Olympic gold to a 2024 season where he has already won the Masters and Memorial.
Nelly Korda (Golf) – The LPGA’s top player is looking to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals and cement herself in golf history.
Fred Richard (Gymnastics) – The 20-year-old Michigan Wolverine could be a breakout star in the gymnasium for Team USA, hoping to claim a few Olympic medals.
Coco Gauff (Tennis) – Gauff enters the Paris Games with strong chances to win gold on the clay courts of Roland Garros as the No. 2 seed.
Helen Maroulis (Wrestling) – The first American woman to win a wrestling gold medal returns for her third Olympics to reclaim the 2016 title she lost in Tokyo.
TLAXCALA, MEXICO – OCTOBER 16: In this handout image provided by the World Archery Federation, Brady Ellison of USA during the Men’s recurve finals during the Tlaxcala 2022 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final on October 16, 2022 in Tlaxcala, Mexico. (Photo by Dean Alberga/Handout/World Archery Federation via Getty Images )
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 15: Canoe athlete Nevin Harrison poses for a portrait during the 2024 Team USA Media Summit at Marriott Marquis Hotel on April 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY – MARCH 23: Gold medalists Jessica Parratto and Delaney Schnell of Team United States pose for a photo with their medals in the medal ceremony for the Women’s Synchronized 10m Platform Final in the World Aquatics Diving World Cup 2024 – Stop 2 on March 23, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 16: Fencer Lee Kiefer poses for a portrait during the 2024 Team USA Media Summit at Marriott Marquis Hotel on April 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Scottie Scheffler holds up his trophy after winning the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Sunday, June 23, 2024, in Cromwell, Conn. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
KAWAGOE, JAPAN – AUGUST 07: Nelly Korda of Team United States celebrates with the gold medal at the victory ceremony after the final round of the Women’s Individual Stroke Play on day fifteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club on August 07, 2021 in Kawagoe, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 29: Frederick Richard competes on floor during the Men’s U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team Trials on June 29, 2024, at Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Coco Gauff of the United States reacts during the final of the ASB Tennis Classic against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in Auckland, New Zealand, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 15: Wrestler Helen Maroulis poses during the Team USA Paris 2024 Olympic Portrait Shoot at NBC Universal Studios Stage 16 on November 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Team USA’s biggest medal table rivals
China: In Tokyo, China finished with one less gold than Team USA but were 24 medals short in the total tally. China’s dominance in table tennis, badminton, diving, and weightlifting will see them again as the chief rival to the Americans.
France: Every Olympics, the hosts are right in the medal mix bringing more athletes than ever before. The French team has numerous individual contenders but stand strong as favorites in multiple team sports, including in both soccer and both handball tournaments.
