Here Are 21 Incredible Athletes To Watch For At The Summer Olympics
The Tokyo Olympics are upon us, which means it's time to take a closer look at some athletes to keep a close eye on this summer.
1.Katie Ledecky (Swimming)
United States swimmer Ledecky heads into the Summer Olympics with five gold medals earned during her impressive career.
She will participate in five different events, and if she can win all five, she will become the winningest female Olympian ever.
2.A'ja Wilson (Basketball)
If you don't follow the WNBA, Wilson has become a dominant force and the 2020 MVP. She will represent the USA women's basketball team.
3.Megan Rapinoe (Soccer)
Rapinoe will be going for her second gold medal — her first win was in 2012, and she is still playing at a high level.
4.Noah Lyles (Sprinting)
Aside from a Youth Olympic Games gold medal, this will be Lyles' first chance to capture a medal at the Olympics. Gold will be tough, but don't be surprised if Lyles outruns the competition.
5.Adeline Gray (Wrestling)
Hailing from the United States, Gray is a five-time — FIVE-TIME — world champion in wrestling. All that gold, but she still lacks Olympic gold. At 30, this wrestling phenom might be looking at her last chance to capture the elusive Olympic gold, making her story one of the most interesting at the Games.
6.Simone Manuel (Swimming)
In 2016, Manuel earned two gold and two silver medals. Fun fact: She was the first African American woman to ever win gold in swimming. Expect her to add more to her collection this summer.
7.Eliud Kipchoge (Long-Distance Running)
Long...distance...running. Cross...country...running. This Kenyan long-distance runner makes a marathon look like a Sunday-morning stroll. As one of the older competitors at the Olympics, Kipchoge is not slowing down for anyone.
8.Allyson Felix (Sprinting)
A not-so-secret weapon for the United States, Felix has helped the United States win five relay gold medals. She has nine Olympic medals, and if she can get one more, she will have the most in track-and-field history.
9.Sydney McLaughlin (Hurdling and Sprinting)
I can barely get off the couch without a bone cracking, but McLaughlin can run and jump and probably chew gum all at once (I don't suggest doing that). She is the current world-record holder in the women's 400-meter hurdles, which she ran on June 28.
10.Naomi Osaka (Tennis)
Maybe the biggest story of the Olympics will be the appearance of Osaka, who has skipped the past two majors to focus on her mental health.
11.Sky Brown (Skateboarding)
It's hard to see there being a bigger story than 12-year-old Brown. Skateboarding is new to the Olympics, and it doesn't get much "newer" than a kid pulling off some sick moves.
12.Misugu Okamoto (Skateboarding)
Hometown kid Okamoto, at 15, is also representing youth as well as Japan. She has won three qualifying events leading up to the Olympics and is bound to have some tricks up her sleeve for the Summer Games.
13.Nyjah Huston (Skateboarding)
Huston is drowning in X Games gold (12 total) and is the face of the United States in skateboarding. It's only fitting that three skateboarders are on this list, because it will be a thrilling debut for this sport in the Summer Games.
14.Masahiro Tanaka (Baseball)
One of the under-the-radar athletes at the Olympics is New York Yankees pitcher Tanaka, representing Japan. Talk about an ace on the mound...Japan is looking at a run for gold.
15.Cat Osterman (Softball)
Coming out of retirement, Osterman looks to help Team USA win gold. It will be interesting to see how the lefty pitcher performs.
16.Xander Schauffele (Golf)
There will be plenty of talent in the Olympics golfing field, but watch out for this American. Schauffele has finished in the top 10 in all four majors but has failed to grab a major title. What a story this could be if he wins Olympic gold.
17.Luka Doncic (Basketball)
Slovenia's first appearance in Olympic basketball is thanks to NBA star Doncic. Although the team is far from deep, it will be fun to watch a player like Doncic go up against the best countries' teams and see how they approach defending him.
18.Kevin Durant (Basketball)
Durant has his eyes set on a third gold medal, and after a major upset against Nigeria in an exhibition, you can bet he will push Team USA to another level.
19.Rui Hachimura (Basketball)
Basketball is going to be fun this summer. Japan has a potential star in Hachimura and will be a blast to watch. The Washington Wizards young gun had 13.8 points per game and 5.5 rebounds.
20.Carissa Moore (Surfing)
Surfing has arrived at the Summer Olympics, and so has Moore. The Hawaii native is a Hall of Famer in the surfing world. As a four-time World Surf League champion, she has a legitimate shot at winning gold.
21.Simone Biles (Gymnast)
The well is dry. There is little more that can be said about Biles. It's her show this Olympics, and it is less about gold and more about the legacy. Even if you aren't into gymnastics, you should tune in to appreciate the work she puts into her craft.
