By: Drew Mandeville 

     The Paris Summer Olympics are coming up this year and there is a lot of buzz in the City of Lights. Many American athletes look to win gold and represent the red, white, and blue. The Olympics hold many famous events, including basketball, swimming, gymnastics, soccer, and track and field events. Many well-known athletes look to participate as well, with a list of committed athletes consisting of, per nbcolympics.com, Stephen Curry, Breanna Stewart, Simone Biles, LeBron James, and countless others competing in Paris. 

     Following a fourth-place finish in the FIBA (The International Basketball Federation), the United States looks to win gold at the Olympics. The national team was announced and boasts talent that have dominated in the NBA. Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be joined by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, Jrue Holiday and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat,  Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.  The United States looks to win a fourth consecutive gold medal with a blend of veteran Olympic experience, young rising talent, and exciting play. With the star-power held by the US, many countries are aware of the challenges the U.S. will provide. Eisenhower track and basketball athlete, Joe Gigliotti, shared his comments on the performance of the American national teams saying he is certain that, “Training is the biggest thing for preparation for international competition.” While America plans to dominate in basketball, they also want to do so in other events.  

     With Michael Phelps no longer participating in the Olympics, the U.S. sends new swimmers who will compete for the red, white, and blue. At the time of publication, the swim trials have yet to occur and, with that, the rosters are yet to be decided, but athletes undoubtedly plan to make their country proud and bring medals home. Gigliotti commented on Olympic swimming being his favorite event when he said, “…Caleb Dressel and Michael Phelps were always dominating, and the 100-meter dash is always being competitive.” Swim has been a strong suit in previous Olympics largely due to the success that Phelps brought to the events.  

     Gymnastics also has found success in the past under Simone Biles. Biles will compete in the trials in June and looks to bring more success to America. In the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, the gymnasts won two gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals, with Simone Biles, Jade Carey, Suni Lee, MyKayla Skinner, Grace McCallum, and Jordan Chiles winning them. 

     Track and field is arguably the most prominent summer Olympic event, with events including distance running, sprints, jumping, hurdles, and pole vaulting. Between the men and women, twenty-six medals were won for the U.S. in Tokyo. All track and field athletes have yet to be selected and will be announced following the trials at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. 

     With plenty of athletes in the competitive events, The United States look to win more medals in Paris this summer. Go U.S.A.!