Four Olympic Athletes You Absolutely Can't Miss
In just a few days, the 2016 Olympic Games will be kicking off in Rio, and the staff here at Be Well can’t wait!
We love watching athletes rise as stars on the world stage, and many of us remember the “greats” we’ve seen emerge over the years: Michael Phelps, the 1980 Men’s Hockey Team, the Dream Team, etc. Curious about which athletes will rise to fame this year? Well look no further — these four Americans are sure to leave you breathless in the 2016 Games!
Simone Biles
Photo by Jonathan Newton (The Washington Post)
The face of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team and a world-renowned athlete, Simone Biles will undoubtedly have a dominating presence at the games. She’ll be joined on the team by London Olympic gold medalists Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman and a pair of fellow rookies: Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian.
After a nearly flawless performance at the trials and three consecutive all-around World Championship titles, Biles is expected to dominate in her Olympic debut. In fact, she’s predicted to lead her team to a gold medal and is anticipated to win the individual all-around title as well. Keep an eye out for her as she dazzles spectators with each flawless twist and turn!
When to watch: August 4th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 14th, 15th on NBC.
Photo by NBC
Although she's an Olympic veteran, Katie Ledecky is still expected to make a huge splash in Rio. At London, 15-year-old Ledecky dominated, despite being the youngest athlete on Team USA. Last year, she became the first swimmer to win all four freestyle distance titles in a single world championship, an accomplishment now referred to as the “Ledecky Slam.” With the world excitedly watching, Ledecky is determined to break her own world records in the 400, 800 and 1,500 freestyles.
When to watch: August 6-12 on NBC, typically at 8 p.m.
Photo by NewBalance.com
Trayvon Bromell first tasted greatness at 17 years old when he became the first high school student to ever break the 10 second barrier in the 100 meter sprint. Since then, he’s dominated at Baylor University, winning the NCAA 100 meter title in 2014. One year later, he finished third at the World Championships in 2015, losing only to Usain Bolt and Olympic gold medalist Justin Gatlin, who has served as a mentor for Bromell throughout his journey to the Olympics. In turn, Bromell has served as an inspiration for thousands of young sprinters who hope to one day turn their own Olympic dreams into reality.
Once just a strong-willed and dedicated high school athlete, Bromell is now predicted to be one of the best sprinters in the games this year. Pay close attention to Bromell in this year’s Olympic Games, and don’t be surprised if he walks away with the gold.
When to watch: August 13th at 7 a.m. and August 14th at 6 p.m. on NBC.
Photo by NBC
Already a fan favorite and a budding YouTube star, rookie Olympian Steele Johnson has quickly become one of Team USA’s brightest young faces. Johnson secured his spot on the U.S. team after executing a nearly perfect synchronized dive with his personal idol and veteran Olympian, David Boudia. After qualifying, Johnson delivered a passionate and emotional interview alongside Boudia.
Despite suffering a horrific accident at 12 years old — when he slammed his head on a 10 meter platform and fell unconscious into the pool — Johnson has persevered and refused to quit. And after many years of hard work and training, he’s ready for his first Olympic Games. Look out for Johnson in Rio as he shows the world the value of persistence and courage can be!
These four young athletes will represent Team USA with pride, honor and commitment in the coming weeks. Do you know of any athletes we missed? Comment below and let us know! Also, check back in a month for a Be Well exclusive Olympic surprise.
Be well, Auburn.