When the Olympics were postponed (for the first time in history) due to the pandemic, we weren’t sure this day would ever come. But the Games are (finally) nearly here, officially kicking off on July 23. Before then, you’re going to want to get to know these insanely inspirational athletes, trust us.
Skateboarding is making its Olympic debut this summer — and 16-year-old Brighton Zeuner is about to become a household name. Her Instagram will make you want to go out and grab a board yourself (or at least copy her iconic skate style).
2. Nicky Nieves
Nieves plays sitting volleyball and brought home Paralympic gold in 2016. You won’t want to miss her this summer in Tokyo (or on Instagram with her serious fashion game).
Felix is a five-time Olympian who just added founder to her resume. Since getting pregnant with her daughter, she’s used her platform to make sports more inclusive for moms.
Kipchoge is the only human to have ever run a marathon in under two hours. So yeah, you’re going to want to see him go for his second marathon gold in Tokyo.
Masters competes in a mind-boggling four Paralympic sports — biathlon, cross country skiing, road cycling (and formerly rowing) — and holds eight Paralympic medals. She’s hoping to bring home another cycling gold in Tokyo before she starts training for Bejing next year.
Huston, the highest paid skateboarder in history, will be bringing his awesome street style to the Olympics this summer where skateboarding will shake up the games.
Ledecky, with her five Olympic gold medals and three world records, is already a legend in the pool. In Tokyo, don’t expect her to be anything less than dominant.
The four-time Women’s Surf League World Champion is poised to take home the first-ever Olympic gold medal in surfing this summer. The 28-year-old Hawaii native’s Instagram is filled with the aloha spirit.
Osaka, the highest paid female athlete in history, has been in the headlines in the runup to the Tokyo games for choosing to sit out some of Tennis’s biggest tournaments in order to prioritize her mental health. We’ll see her on the court again when she competes for her home country of Japan at the summer Olympics.
As if being an Olympian and World Champion sprinter weren’t enough, Lyles is also a rapper.
Tuliamuk came in first place at the Olympic marathon trials. As one of the few Olympians who are moms, she helped to change Olympic guidelines that would have prevented breastfeeding moms to bring their children with them to Tokyo.
Graham is the US’s first female active duty service member to box in the Olympics. The Staff Sargent is an ammunition specialist in the Army and now serves as captain of the USA Boxing team.
For the first time in 16 years, Michael Phelps won’t be in the Olympic pool — so 24-year-old Caeleb Dressel will be making his move for men’s gold.
Obviously, we’ll all be watching Simone Biles, the greatest gymnast in history, at her second Olympics. But don’t sleep on Jordan Chiles, the UCLA gymnast who trains with Biles and is about to become a household name as part of the Core Four.
Wilson will be helping to lead the women of USA Basketball to their seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal this summer. She’s already made history this year when a statue of her was unveiled at the University of South Carolina, her alma mater.
Jenifer, who studied criminal justice, has been playing wheelchair basketball since 1992. He already has two Paralympic medals and will be going for his third in Tokyo.
Korda is the number 1-ranked women’s golfer in the world. She’s heading to Tokyo with her sister Jessica (also a golfer) and potentially her brother Sebastien (who plays tennis).
The most outspoken member of the US Women’s National Soccer Team will be back on the world stage in Tokyo as the women go for gold. Get ready for more epic poses.
The Brooklyn Nets star is heading to his third Olympics this month, hoping to bring home a gold medal for Team USA.
As the world record shot put holder, Crouser competes with serious power.
