The opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics will kick off in Paris on July 26 with an outdoor ceremony. About 80 boats will ferry the OIympians 3.7 miles along the Seine River toward the Eiffel Tower. The games will award 329 gold medals, and this will be the first time World Athletics awards prize money to the medals, with gold medalists winning $50,000 each.
Here are some of the athletes with Northern Virginia ties who are participating and when to watch them. Some of the competitions occur in the days leading up to the opening ceremony.
Athletes
Claire Collins
Hometown: McLean
Sport: Rowing, Women’s Eight
When to Watch: July 29–August 3
The rower is heading back to her second Olympic games as part of the USA women’s eight team. After missing the podium in Tokyo, the team is ready to come back home with a medal.
Greg Duncan
Hometown: Oakton
Sport: Diving
When to Watch: August 2
The James Madison High School alum is heading to Paris to compete with synchronized 3-meter diving partner Carson Tyler. The duo’s fourth place finish at the World Aquatics Championships guaranteed the United States a spot at the Olympics.
Emily Fox
Hometown: Ashburn
Sport: Women’s Soccer
When to Watch: July 25–August 10
The former No. 1 in the 2021 NWSL Draft will be joining Rodman for her first Olympics team. Fox made her USWNT debut back in 2018 and has been a rising star since, appearing in nearly 50 games and recording one goal and three assists as a defender.
Hadley Husisian
Hometown: Oakton
Sport: Fencing
When to Watch: July 27
Husisian’s interest in fencing began after watching Nickelodeon’s iCarly. Now she’s heading to her first Olympics. The Princeton student took a gap year to focus on training ahead of making the U.S. fencing team. Husisian has the distinction of being the first Team USA fencer to repeat as a Junior Épée World Champion.
Torri Huske
Hometown: Arlington
Sport: Swimming
When to Watch: July 27–31
This year, you’ll find the Arlington native competing for gold in the Women’s 100m Freestyle and 100m Butterfly. During the last Summer Olympics, Huske won a silver medal during the Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay.
Weini Kelati
Hometown: Leesburg
Sport: Track & Field
When to Watch: August 9
During the U.S. Olympic Trials, Kelati took first place during the 10,000-meter race, clinching the National Championship and a spot at the Paris games. The distance runner sought asylum in the United States back in 2014 as a way to help her family in Eritrea from abroad. She gained citizenship in 2021. This will be her first Olympic appearance.
Taylor Knibb
Hometown: Washington, DC
Sport: Triathlon & Road Cycling
When to Watch: July 31 & August 5 (triathlon); July 27 (cycling)
In Paris, Knibb will be taking on double duty — competing in both the women’s triathlon and road cycling races. Last Olympics, she became the youngest woman ever to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Triathlon team and ended up taking home a silver medal during the mixed relay event.
Casey Krueger
NoVA Ties: Washington Spirit Defender
Sport: Women’s Soccer
When to Watch: July 25–August 10
After taking home a bronze medal during her first Olympic appearance, Krueger is heading back to the world stage. The USWNT will be looking to bounce back after a third-place finish during the 2020 Olympics and a disappointing World Cup knockout.
Noah Lyles
Hometown: Alexandria
Sport: Track & Field
When to Watch: August 1–11
After winning a bronze medal during his Olympic debut in Tokyo, Lyles is looking to cement his status in the Olympic record books in Paris. During the 2023 World Athletics Championships, he became the first male sprinter since Jamaica’s Usain Bolt to win gold in both the 100-meter and 200-meter races — becoming the new title holder of “Fastest Man in the World.”
Trinity Rodman
NoVA Ties: Washington Spirit Forward
Sport: Women’s Soccer
When to Watch: July 25–August 10
Rodman is the other Spirit representative on the USWNT. After making her National Team debut in February 2022, Rodman has proved to be one of the best up-and-coming players in the gaming, recording seven goals and eight assists while representing Team USA.
Christian Tabash
Hometown: Alexandria
Sport: Rowing, Men’s Eight
When to Watch: July 29–August 3
Tabash was first introduced to rowing while watching the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Sixteen years later, he’s representing the country on the highest level. He’ll make his Olympic debut during the Men’s Eight heats.
Kevin Paredes
Hometown: South Riding
Sport: Men’s Soccer
When to Watch: July 24–August 9
The 21-year-old forward will be making his Olympic debut in Paris. Paredes is currently playing for Germany’s Wolfsburg club. The South Riding native has previously made two appearances for the U.S. National Team.
Griffin Yow
Hometown: Clifton
Sport: Men’s Soccer
When to Watch: July 24–August 9
The forward will be joining fellow NoVA native Paredes on the U.S. National Team. Currently playing for KVC Westerlo in Belgium, Yow previously played for D.C. United. In three appearances for the U.S. National Team, Yow has recorded one goal and two assists.
Coaches and Managers
Grant Hill
Hometown: Reston
Position: Managing Director of USA Basketball Men’s National Team
Hill, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and member of the 1996 gold medal–winning men’s basketball team, was behind selecting the players who make up the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team.
Kara Lawson
Hometown: Alexandria
Position: Assistant Coach of USA Basketball Women’s National Team
Lawson, a 2008 gold medal Olympian, coached the first 3×3 women’s team to win gold in the Tokyo Olympics. The current Duke University women’s basketball head coach was named one of the 100 most influential women in college basketball by Silver Waves Media.
Mike Thibault
NoVA Ties: Washington Mystics General Manager
Sport: Women’s Basketball, Assistant Coach
The winningest coach in WNBA history will be joining Lawson on bench for the USA Women’s Basketball games. Thibault has previous Olympic coaching experience as he was part of the coaching staff for the 2008 gold medal–winning women’s basketball team.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
This story originally ran in our July issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
