Let the Games Begin
The epic, 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are coming soon which means it’s time to cheer on Team USA, including several standout athletes from right here in Colorado.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Seine River, the spectacular opening ceremony will take place on July 26th, and the Games will run until August 11th. During this time, athletes hailing from over 200 nations will compete across 32 sports ranging from archery to wrestling.
Some of the top athletes and anticipated events for Team USA include:
- Track and Field: All eyes will be on sprinters Sha'Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles. Also, keep an eye out for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in the 400-meter hurdles.
- Swimming: Don’t miss the return of Katie Ledecky, aiming to add to her impressive medal haul. Kate Douglass, Katie Grimes, and Regan Smith all competed as teenagers in Tokyo and should be even more competitive at their second Games.
- Gymnastics: The GOAT, Simone Biles, returns and will likely be joined by Shilese Jones with other contenders still in the mix—Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey.
- Basketball: The men’s team is a strong contender for the gold thanks to an all-star NBA lineup led by LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry.
- Soccer: The US Women’s National Team, with young stars like Alyssa Naeher, Lindsey Horan, Crystal Dunn, and Trinity Rodman, will also be aiming for gold.
Athletes Competing 4,922 Miles from Home
Amongst all the athletes competing in the 2024 Olympic Games, Colorado will be represented by 12 athletes (so far). One of them could be the next Amy Van Dyken from Denver who has won six gold medals for swimming—or Missy Franklin from Centennial who has taken home one gold and three bronze medals, also for swimming.
Let’s take a closer look at who we’re cheering for and when to watch for them:
- Brooke Raboutou from Boulder
Sport: Sport Climbing
Event Dates: August 5th-10th
- Colin Duffy from Broomfield
Sport: Sport Climbing
Event Dates: August 5th-10th
- Elise Cranny from Boulder
Sport: Track & Field, 5,000-Meter
Event Dates: August 2nd-5th
- Emma Weber from Boulder
Sport: Swimming
Event Dates: July 27th-August 4th
- Haleigh Washington from Colorado Springs
Sport: Volleyball
Event Dates: July 28th-August 11th
- Jessica Thoennes from Highlands Ranch
Sport: Rowing, Women’s Pair
Event Dates: July 28th-August 2nd
- Jordyn Poulter from Aurora
Sport: Volleyball
Event Dates: July 28th-August 11th
- Josh O'Neill from Colorado Springs
Sport: Wheelchair Rugby
Event Dates: August 29th-September 2
- Leonard Korir from Colorado Springs
Sport: Track & Field, Marathon
Event Dates: August 10th
- Valarie Allman from Longmont
Sport: Track & Field, Discus
Event Dates: August 2nd-5th
- Valarie Constien from Edwards
Sport: Track & Field, 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
Event Dates: August 4th-6th
- Woody Kincaid from Littleton
Sport: Track and Field, 10,000-Meter
Event Dates: August 2nd
Tons of Athletes, Never the Olympics Host
While Colorado has sent numerous athletes to the Winter and Summer Olympics over the years, here’s a quick fact—Denver is the only city to decline hosting.
After winning the bid to host the 1976 Winter Olympics, a group called the Citizens for Colorado’s Future voiced concerns about the environmental impact. Coloradans then voted against using tax dollars for the games, thus making it impossible for the city to fund preparations.
