Paris 2024: Team USA Superstars to Watch at the Olympics

It’s that time again!

The 2024 Olympics will take place in Paris, France from July 26 to August 11. From basketball to gymnastics, to volleyball, and even trampolining, this year’s Olympics features 41 sports that are sure to entertain.

The USA dominated at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo and looks to once again bring home more medals than any other country. Below are just a handful of Team USA’s top athletes to cheer on as they compete in Paris.

Suni Lee – Gymnastics

Auburn’s very own Suni Lee will return to the world stage after a record-setting performance at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. At just 18 years old, Lee became the first Asian-American woman to win gold in the women’s all-around event, making it the fifth-straight Olympics an American woman won gold. She also won a bronze medal on the uneven bars and a silver medal in the team event.

Unfortunately, Lee’s time at Auburn was cut short due to a health-related issue with her kidneys, forcing the star gymnast to take a break from training. Lee was able to compete again last August, where she earned bronze on the beam at the U.S. championships. She has steadily been making progress and is expected to compete in Paris.

Katie Ledecky – Swimming

The fastest female swimmer in the world looks to continue her success this year in Paris. Ledecky won her first Olympic gold medal at just 15 years old in 2012 and has since racked up 7 gold medals. In Tokyo, Ledecky made history by winning gold at the first-ever women’s 1500m event.

Now 27 years old, Ledecky is far from finished. She is only two medals shy of tying the all-time female record, which is currently held by American Jenny Thompson.

Caeleb Dressel – Swimming

Since Michael Phelps retired, Caeleb Dressel has stepped into the spotlight, winning 5 gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He also made history in the 100m butterfly, breaking the world record with a time of 49.45 seconds.

After making a name for himself over the past two Olympics, Dressel is poised for success in Paris. He has the opportunity to hit double-digit gold medals in men’s swimming, something only Michael Phelps has accomplished.

Athing Mu – Track & Field

Athing Mu made her Olympic debut in Tokyo, where she won gold in the women’s 800m with a time of 1:51.21. This marked the first time in 53 years that the USA had won gold in this event. Mu beat her own time at the post-Olympics Prefontaine Classic, making her the youngest woman ever to earn both Olympic and world titles in an individual track and field event.

Mu had the opportunity to run the 1500m in Paris this year but has decided to focus on the 800m, where she will likely impress us again.

Men’s Basketball Team

Team USA looks to win its fifth-straight gold medal in the 5x5 event this year in Paris. The action kicks off on July 28 when Team USA takes on Serbia. They will also face off against South Sudan on July 31.

The team will feature some of the biggest names in basketball, including Lebron James, Devon Booker, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Jayson Tatum. Coached by Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors and Gonzaga’s Mark Few, the squad has what it takes to 5-peat and bring home the gold once again.

U-S-A!

No matter the sport you enjoy, there is a lot to look forward to and a variety of fierce competitors to cheer on. So, grab your red, white, and blue, and be sure to cheer on Team USA in their quest to bring home the gold.

U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

Be well, Auburn.