The highway to Rio has lastly ended, and Workforce USA has arrived. From swimming to gymnastics to fencing and operating, this month, 550 athletes will symbolize Workforce USA, together with 292 ladies. (That’s essentially 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 latest expertise. We rounded up 25 of essentially the most inspiring American athletes to look at, root for and, after all, observe on Instagram. (Behind-the-scenes Olympic Village entry, FTW!)
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Photograph: @simonebiles
1. Simone Biles
Sport: Gymnastics
IG: @simonebiles
Why you must observe: Although she’s arguably the buzziest identify 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 considered one of simply three ladies in historical past to win 4 all-around titles on the P&G Gymnastics Championships, and has gained essentially the most world medals in U.S. historical past. She will be able to additionally rope climb like no different. #squadgoals
Photograph: @WeAreEaton
2. Ashton Eaton
Sport: Monitor and Area
IG: @ashtonjeaton
Why you must observe: As a result of he’s the best athlete on this 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 leap, excessive leap, pole vault), and power (shot put, discus, javelin) competitions. What, prefer it’s arduous? 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 you must observe: You don’t need to mess with Donne on the court docket. The 6-foot-five basketball star is understood to “deliver it dwelling” in any sport. In her 2013 WNBA debut for the Chicago Sky, she led her staff 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 taking pictures 95 p.c from the free throw line? Simply icing on the cake, actually.
Photograph: @jake_dalton
4. Jake Dalton
Sport: Gymnastics
IG: @jake_dalton
Why you must watch observe: The 24-year-old has gained 4 medals in 4 world championships, so his document 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 you must watch observe: They’re the Williams sisters. So after all you must watch them. The indomitable forces on the court docket 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 photographs of them taking part in on the court docket, attempting completely different exercises and taking part in with their canine.
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Photograph: @GabbyCVDouglas
7. Gabby Douglas
Sport: Gymnastics
IG: @gabbycvdouglas
Why you must observe: Douglas competed in London, the place she grew to become the primary girl of shade 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 that you may embrace in all of your Workforce USA-related texts.
Photograph: @IbtihajMuhammad
8. Ibtihaj Muhammad
Sport: Fencing
IG: @ibtihajmuhammad
Why you must observe: Muhammad made headlines when she grew to become the primary Muslim girl who wears a hijab to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Workforce. She’ll compete in each the person and staff sabre occasions.
Photograph: @m_phelps00
9. Michael Phelps
Sport: Swimming
IG: @m_phelps00
Why you must observe: Phelps is essentially the most adorned Olympian of all time — and this may in all probability be his remaining 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 document 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 Area
IG: @af85
Why you must observe: Nicely 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 he or she’s acquired a adorned 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 coming back from a hamstring damage to compete within the 400-meter and the 4×400-meter sprint. Brb, we will now prepare with the Nike+ athlete, too.
Photograph: @kledecky
11. Katie Ledecky
Sport: Swimming
IG: @kledecky
Why you must observe: Actual speak: 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 prime spot on the rostrum in Rio. Ultimately 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 Area
IG: @RunMeb
Why you must observe: You’d be loopy to not rely Keflezighi as considered 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. Observe him on IG, and also you’ll really feel like one of many fam.
@alexmorgan13
13. Alex Morgan
Sport: Soccer
IG: @alexmorgan
Why you must observe: After the U.S. Ladies’s Nationwide Workforce gained the World Cup in 2015, all eyes have been on this group of sturdy, undefeatable ladies. If you happen to keep in mind the U.S. Ladies’s staff competing on the London Olympic Video games, you in all probability keep in mind Morgan’s semifinal-winning header. Led by this vet’s pinpoint precision and lightning pace, you possibly can wager Workforce USA is favored to win gold once more.
Photograph: @MollyHuddle
14. Molly Huddle
Sport: Monitor and Area
IG: @mollyhuddle
Why you must observe: Humble, hardworking and prepared for a enormous Olympic second, Huddle is one other favored runner to look at this 12 months. She’ll compete within the 10,000 meters in Rio — an occasion solely two American ladies have medaled at previously. All eyes are on her to make historical past.
@nathangadrian
15. Nathan Adrian
Sport: Swimming
IG: @NathanGAdrian
Why you must observe: First, that smile! However secondly, Adrian is a three-tie Olympic gold medalist who at the moment holds the American document within the 50-meter freestyle. His dashing, down-to-earth character comes by way of on his Instagram feed, the place he’s usually seen goofing round and cheering on his teammates.
Photograph: @ughlyducklin
16. English Gardner
Sport: Monitor and Area
IG: @ughlyducklin
Why you must observe: This former Oregon Duck (therefore the Instagram deal with) is the quickest girl 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 document with a time of 11.03 and gained 4 NCAA titles.
Photograph: @CarliLloyd
17. Carli Lloyd
Sport: Soccer
IG: @CarliLloyd
Why you must observe: Contemplate Carli queen of the pitch. The 2015 FIFA World Participant of the 12 months and co-captain of Workforce USA is out to win her third consecutive Olympic gold medal. Lloyd is a brilliant scorer for the staff: She netted the game-winning purpose in 2008’s gold-medal match towards Brazil, and scored each targets within the staff’s victory over Japan in 2012. She additionally grew to become a family identify final 12 months when she led the staff to a FIFA World Cup championship.
Photograph: @galen_rupp
18. Galen Rupp
Sport: Monitor and Area
IG: @galen_rupp
Why you must observe: 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 leap 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 you must observe: 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 usually dubbed “the darling of the ladies’s swim staff,” and he or she’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 you must observe: Now that America’s favorites, Steph Curry and LeBron James, have opted out of taking part in the Olympics, it’s as much as Kevin Durant to steer Workforce 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 you must observe: Raisman grew to become essentially the most adorned U.S. gymnast in London, taking dwelling 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 steadiness 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: Seaside Volleyball
IG: @KerriLeeWalsh
Why you must observe: Walsh-Jennings is a fan favourite — however this 12 months she’ll compete with out her 11-year accomplice, 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 accomplice April Ross — whom she defeated in London!
Photograph: @IamRioTanaka
23. Trayvon Bromell
Sport: Monitor and Area
IG: @TrayvonBromell
Why you must observe: Contemplate him the subsequent Usain Bolt. At 20 years outdated, Bromell is poised to offer Bolt a run for his medal — actually. As one of many prime 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 you must observe: Hammer is a two-time Olympic silver medalist, and her identify is becoming — the world champion bicycle owner completely hammers on the bike. She has gained seven UCI world championship titles and 11 UCI World Championship medals. She at the moment holds the world document within the 3K particular person pursuit on the monitor. And based mostly on the pics in her feed, she is aware of how you can have a reasonably good time, too.
Photograph: @swimhaley
25. Haley Anderson
Sport: Swimming
IG: @swimhaley
Why you must observe: Anderson gained a silver medal within the 10Okay open water occasion on the 2012 Video games, and now she’s again in pursuit of gold. Whereas a lot of the in style televised swimming occasions characteristic swimmers going all-out for brief distances within the pool, Anderson’s as much as one thing completely different: Her occasion takes place in open water, and it’s far. (That’s why it’s known as a 10Okay marathon.)
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