The street to Rio has lastly ended, and Crew USA has arrived. From swimming to gymnastics to fencing and operating, this month, 550 athletes will signify Crew USA, together with 292 girls. (That’s probably the most in Olympic historical past to ever compete for a single nation, proving that ladies, fairly actually, run the world.) And whereas there are a great deal of acquainted names and faces — like Michael Phelps, Simone Biles and Carli Lloyd — there’s additionally a ton of recent expertise. We rounded up 25 of probably the most inspiring American athletes to observe, root for and, after all, comply with on Instagram. (Behind-the-scenes Olympic Village entry, FTW!)
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Photograph: @simonebiles
1. Simone Biles
Sport: Gymnastics
IG: @simonebiles
Why it’s best to comply with: Although she’s arguably the buzziest title heading to Rio, this marks 19-year-old Biles’ first journey to the Olympics. However she’s no stranger to podiums and medals. Biles has 14 World Championship medals, 10 of that are gold, and is undefeated within the all-around program. She’s certainly one of simply three girls in historical past to win 4 all-around titles on the P&G Gymnastics Championships, and has gained probably the most world medals in U.S. historical past. She will additionally rope climb like no different. #squadgoals
Photograph: @WeAreEaton
2. Ashton Eaton
Sport: Monitor and Discipline
IG: @ashtonjeaton
Why it’s best to comply with: As a result of he’s the best athlete on the planet. Eaton competes within the decathlon, so he’s a veritable grasp of not only one, however 10 occasions, together with pace (100-meter sprint, 110-meter hurdles, 400 meters), endurance (1,500 meters), agility (lengthy soar, excessive soar, pole vault), and energy (shot put, discus, javelin) competitions. What, prefer it’s onerous? The Oregon native gained gold in London, so if he wins it once more in Rio, he’ll be the primary back-to-back Olympic decathlon champion in 32 years.
Photograph: @De11eDonne
3. Elena Delle Donne
Sport: Basketball
IG: @de11edonne
Why it’s best to comply with: You don’t need to mess with Donne on the courtroom. The 6-foot-five basketball star is understood to “deliver it house” in any sport. In her 2013 WNBA debut for the Chicago Sky, she led her crew to the playoffs for the primary time in its historical past, incomes her the league’s coveted Rookie of the 12 months award. Two years later, the Delaware-native was named the WNBA’s MVP. Averaging 23.Four factors per sport and capturing 95 % from the free throw line? Simply icing on the cake, actually.
Photograph: @jake_dalton
4. Jake Dalton
Sport: Gymnastics
IG: @jake_dalton
Why it’s best to watch comply with: The 24-year-old has gained 4 medals in 4 world championships, so his file is fairly legit. Though he didn’t medal on the London Olympics, he’s coming again stronger, fitter and with extra methods up his sleeves — actually.
Photograph: @VenusWilliams
5. and 6. Venus and Serena Williams
Sport: Tennis
IG: @serenawilliams and @venuswilliams
Why it’s best to watch comply with: They’re the Williams sisters. So after all it’s best to watch them. The indomitable forces on the courtroom will duke it out in each the singles and doubles competitions. On their Instagram feeds, you’ll discover behind-the-scenes images of them getting their make-up and hair did for glamorous journal cowl shoots, and pictures of them enjoying on the courtroom, attempting totally different exercises and enjoying with their canine.
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Photograph: @GabbyCVDouglas
7. Gabby Douglas
Sport: Gymnastics
IG: @gabbycvdouglas
Why it’s best to comply with: Douglas competed in London, the place she turned the primary lady of coloration of any nationality in Olympic historical past to develop into a person all-around champion. Now, “Gabby” has formally joined the ranks of different one-name wonders. The 16-year-old gold medalist even has a #gabbymoji you can embody in all of your Crew USA-related texts.
Photograph: @IbtihajMuhammad
8. Ibtihaj Muhammad
Sport: Fencing
IG: @ibtihajmuhammad
Why it’s best to comply with: Muhammad made headlines when she turned the primary Muslim lady who wears a hijab to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Crew. She’ll compete in each the person and crew sabre occasions.
Photograph: @m_phelps00
9. Michael Phelps
Sport: Swimming
IG: @m_phelps00
Why it’s best to comply with: Phelps is probably the most embellished Olympian of all time — and this may in all probability be his closing Olympic Video games. He’ll really feel fairly OK about hanging up that Speedo, although. At 31, the “Flying Fish” has 22 Olympic medals — together with 18 golds — and set an Olympic file in Beijing in 2008 when he gained eight gold medals. He’s additionally the primary American swimmer to qualify for 5 Olympic Video games.
Photograph: @af85
10. Allyson Felix
Sport: Monitor and Discipline
IG: @af85
Why it’s best to comply with: Effectively don’t blink, since you’ll miss her. This woman is quick. The 30-year-old sprinter will head to Rio for her fourth Olympics, and she or he’s obtained a embellished historical past. She has already gained 4 gold medals (three in London and one in Beijing), and two silver medals. The 2012 IAFF World Athlete of the 12 months is getting back from a hamstring harm to compete within the 400-meter and the 4×400-meter sprint. Brb, we are able to now practice with the Nike+ athlete, too.
Photograph: @kledecky
11. Katie Ledecky
Sport: Swimming
IG: @kledecky
Why it’s best to comply with: Actual discuss: Ledecky gained gold within the London Video games, has gained 9 world championship gold medals, and might be the USA’s greatest shot on the high spot on the rostrum in Rio. Eventually 12 months’s World Championships, Ledecky, now 19, made historical past as the primary to swim — and win — all 4 freestyle distances on the identical meet.
Photograph: @runmeb
12. Meb Keflezighi
Sport: Monitor and Discipline
IG: @RunMeb
Why it’s best to comply with: You’d be loopy to not rely Keflezighi as certainly one of America’s favourite marathoners. At 38, the seemingly ageless runner gained the Boston Marathon, only one 12 months after the 2013 bombings. Keflezighi is the oldest American man to run the Olympic marathon, and the one one to make three Olympic groups. Comply with him on IG, and also you’ll really feel like one of many fam.
@alexmorgan13
13. Alex Morgan
Sport: Soccer
IG: @alexmorgan
Why it’s best to comply with: After the U.S. Girls’s Nationwide Crew gained the World Cup in 2015, all eyes have been on this group of robust, undefeatable girls. If you happen to bear in mind the U.S. Girls’s crew competing on the London Olympic Video games, you in all probability bear in mind Morgan’s semifinal-winning header. Led by this vet’s pinpoint precision and lightning pace, you may wager Crew USA is favored to win gold once more.
Photograph: @MollyHuddle
14. Molly Huddle
Sport: Monitor and Discipline
IG: @mollyhuddle
Why it’s best to comply with: Humble, hardworking and prepared for a big Olympic second, Huddle is one other favored runner to observe this 12 months. She’ll compete within the 10,00Zero meters in Rio — an occasion solely two American girls have medaled at previously. All eyes are on her to make historical past.
@nathangadrian
15. Nathan Adrian
Sport: Swimming
IG: @NathanGAdrian
Why it’s best to comply with: First, that smile! However secondly, Adrian is a three-tie Olympic gold medalist who presently holds the American file within the 50-meter freestyle. His dashing, down-to-earth character comes by means of on his Instagram feed, the place he’s typically seen goofing round and cheering on his teammates.
Photograph: @ughlyducklin
16. English Gardner
Sport: Monitor and Discipline
IG: @ughlyducklin
Why it’s best to comply with: This former Oregon Duck (therefore the Instagram deal with) is the quickest lady within the U.S. In Rio, Gardner will compete within the 100 meters and the 4×100 meters relay. Different claims to fame: On the College of Oregon, she set an American Junior file with a time of 11.03 and gained 4 NCAA titles.
Photograph: @CarliLloyd
17. Carli Lloyd
Sport: Soccer
IG: @CarliLloyd
Why it’s best to comply with: Contemplate Carli queen of the pitch. The 2015 FIFA World Participant of the 12 months and co-captain of Crew USA is out to win her third consecutive Olympic gold medal. Lloyd is an excellent scorer for the crew: She netted the game-winning purpose in 2008’s gold-medal match towards Brazil, and scored each objectives within the crew’s victory over Japan in 2012. She additionally turned a family title final 12 months when she led the crew to a FIFA World Cup championship.
Photograph: @galen_rupp
18. Galen Rupp
Sport: Monitor and Discipline
IG: @galen_rupp
Why it’s best to comply with: The 30-year-old cross-country runner is a well-known face within the 10,000-meter occasion. (He gained silver within the London Olympics, making him the primary American to medal in that occasion since 1964.) However this 12 months he made the soar to 26.2 miles and competed in his first marathon trials for the Olympics earlier this 12 months — and he gained them.
Photograph: @missyfranklin88
19. Missy Franklin
Sport: Swimming
IG: @MissyFranklin88
Why it’s best to comply with: In London, Franklin gained 4 gold medals and a bronze. Plus, the 21-year-old has 17 world championship medals, together with 11 gold, three silver, and three bronze. She’s typically dubbed “the darling of the ladies’s swim crew,” and she or he’ll compete within the 200-meter backstroke, 200-meter freestyle and 4×200-meter relay. Plus, don’t miss her IG feed for her Olympic nail artwork (nailed it) and a few cute kitty pics.
Photograph: @easymoneysniper
20. Kevin Durant
Sport: Basketball
IG: @EasyMoneySniper
Why it’s best to comply with: Now that America’s favorites, Steph Curry and LeBron James, have opted out of enjoying the Olympics, it’s as much as Kevin Durant to guide Crew USA to the gold medal. However make no mistake, this former gold medalist and NBA MVP averages 27.Four factors per sport. He was additionally voted Rookie of the 12 months throughout his debut season for the Seattle Sonics. On his Instagram feed, put together for main shoe envy, and FOMO that you simply’re not on his pick-up-game texts.
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Photograph: @alyraisman
21. Aly Raisman
Sport: Gymnastics
IG: @AlyRaisman
Why it’s best to comply with: Raisman turned probably the most embellished U.S. gymnast in London, taking house two golds and one bronze. She was fourth within the all-around, and has gained 4 world championship medals. When not doing methods on the ground or stability beam, Raisman likes designing fancy socks for Feat Socks, the place she created a restricted version line for the Olympics.
Photograph: kerrileewalsh
22. Kerri Walsh-Jennings
Sport: Seashore Volleyball
IG: @KerriLeeWalsh
Why it’s best to comply with: Walsh-Jennings is a fan favourite — however this 12 months she’ll compete with out her 11-year associate, Misty Mae-Treanor, who retired after the 2012 video games. Collectively, the duo gained 21 consecutive Olympic matches. This 12 months, Walsh-Jennings will play alongside associate April Ross — whom she defeated in London!
Photograph: @IamRioTanaka
23. Trayvon Bromell
Sport: Monitor and Discipline
IG: @TrayvonBromell
Why it’s best to comply with: Contemplate him the following Usain Bolt. At 20 years outdated, Bromell is poised to present Bolt a run for his medal — actually. As one of many high American sprinters, Bromell will compete within the 100-meter occasion. If one factor is evident from his Insta — this younger star is prepared to shine.
Photograph: @Sarah_K_Hammer
24. Sarah Hammer
Sport: Biking
IG: @sarah__k__hammer
Why it’s best to comply with: Hammer is a two-time Olympic silver medalist, and her title is becoming — the world champion bike owner completely hammers on the bike. She has gained seven UCI world championship titles and 11 UCI World Championship medals. She presently holds the world file within the 3K particular person pursuit on the observe. And primarily based on the pics in her feed, she is aware of the right way to have a fairly good time, too.
Photograph: @swimhaley
25. Haley Anderson
Sport: Swimming
IG: @swimhaley
Why it’s best to comply with: Anderson gained a silver medal within the 10Ok open water occasion on the 2012 Video games, and now she’s again in pursuit of gold. Whereas a lot of the well-liked televised swimming occasions characteristic swimmers going all-out for brief distances within the pool, Anderson’s as much as one thing totally different: Her occasion takes place in open water, and it’s far. (That’s why it’s referred to as a 10Ok marathon.)
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