Skip to content

Top Navigation

PEOPLE.com PEOPLE.com
    • All News
    • Coronavirus
    • Crime
    • Human Interest
    • Politics
    • Heroes
    • Stories to Make You Smile
    • All Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Country
    • Awards
    • Sports
    • Theater
    • Books
  • Royals
    • All Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
    • Health
    • Parents
    • Home
    • Pets
    • Food
    • Tech
    • Travel
  • PeopleTV
    • All Shopping
    • People Tested
    • All Podcasts
    • Me Becoming Mom
    • People Every Day
    • PEOPLE in the '90s

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Premium
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Premium
Login
Subscribe

Explore PEOPLE.com

PEOPLE.com PEOPLE.com
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Rita Moreno Says She Dated Elvis as Revenge Against Cheating Ex Marlon Brando: 'It Was Wonderful'

      Rita Moreno Says She Dated Elvis as Revenge Against Cheating Ex Marlon Brando: 'It Was Wonderful'

      Rita Moreno revealed she dated Elvis Presley to get back at her ex-boyfriend Marlon Brando for cheating on her Read More
    • Machine Gun Kelly Poses with Daughter Casie at the 2021 American Music Awards

      Machine Gun Kelly Poses with Daughter Casie at the 2021 American Music Awards

      The American Music Awards, hosted by Cardi B, are broadcasting live from Los Angeles on Sunday Read More
    • Jennifer Lopez Sings from the Heart in New 'On My Way' Music Video

      Jennifer Lopez Sings from the Heart in New 'On My Way' Music Video

      Jennifer Lopez released the official music video for her song "On My Way," which is featured in her upcoming rom-com Marry Me Read More
  • News

    News

    See All News
    Stars Who Opened Up About Their Sexuality and Gender Identity in 2021

    Stars Who Opened Up About Their Sexuality and Gender Identity in 2021

    • Coronavirus
    • Crime
    • Human Interest
    • Politics
    • Heroes
    • Stories to Make You Smile
  • Entertainment

    Entertainment

    See All Entertainment
    The Best (& Worst) Jeopardy! Celebrity Guest Host Show Moments

    The Best (& Worst) Jeopardy! Celebrity Guest Host Show Moments

    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Country
    • Awards
    • Sports
    • Theater
    • Books
  • Royals
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    See All Lifestyle
    Billie Eilish Ditches Her Blonde Hair for Brunette Tresses: 'Miss Me?'

    Billie Eilish Ditches Her Blonde Hair for Brunette Tresses: 'Miss Me?'

    The singer revealed that she dyed her hair dark brown after debuting her blonde look earlier this year
    • Style
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
    • Health
    • Parents
    • Home
    • Pets
    • Food
    • Tech
    • Travel
  • PeopleTV
  • Shopping

    Shopping

    See All Shopping
    • People Tested
  • Podcasts

    Podcasts

    See All Podcasts
    Sen. Tammy Duckworth Calls Going Back to Work After Having a Miscarriage 'Inhumane'

    Sen. Tammy Duckworth Calls Going Back to Work After Having a Miscarriage 'Inhumane'

    "Even though we cleared my calendar for the day, I was still on the phone. There was no resting, you just kept on going," Tammy Duckworth says on an episode of PEOPLE's podcast Me Becoming Mom
    • Me Becoming Mom
    • People Every Day
    • PEOPLE in the '90s

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Premium
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Premium
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. People.com
  2. Sports
  3. Remember Their Names! These Are the Athletes to Keep an Eye on Ahead of Tokyo Olympics & Paralympics

Remember Their Names! These Are the Athletes to Keep an Eye on Ahead of Tokyo Olympics & Paralympics

Though not all of them have qualified yet, they're hopeful they'll be leading Team USA to gold in a few short months. To learn more, visit teamusa.org

By Karen Mizoguchi and Adam Carlson Updated April 14, 2021 04:55 PM
Skip gallery slides
FB Tweet

1 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

GYMNAST SAM MIKULAK

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes

"So many people retired after 2016 in their mid to early 20s and it's like, 'No, guys, we can do gymnastics beyond that. We can actually be better at gymnastics beyond that,' " the 28-year-old two-time Olympian tells PEOPLE. "That's the inspiration I'm trying to get going and putting in people's brains, because there's a lot more to the sport and it honestly gets more fun the older you get and people don't know that."

1 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

RUNNER SYDNEY McLAUGHLIN

sydney-mclaughlin
Credit: NBC Olympics

"I think Rio is just the starting point and it definitely built the foundation for my future," says the 21-year-old, who in 2016 became the youngest U.S. Olympian to compete in track and field since 1972. "I feel good. It was a great year. A lot of adjustments to becoming pro, but I think we definitely learned what we need to fix for next year and hopefully we can execute. It's going to be a great year."

2 of 26

3 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

SOCCER PLAYER MEGAN RAPINOE

Megan-Rapinoe_Lifestyle_7193
Credit: Courtesy NBC Olympics

"For girls, I would just say to not limit yourself to anything. Dream way past beyond what we're doing right now," the 35-year-old U.S. women's national team co-captain, who cemented her international stardom last year, says of her advice to her young fans.

3 of 26

Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

4 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

SWIMMER NATHAN ADRIAN

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes

"I still feel very blessed to wake up, go to a place, do the sport that I love and then also be surrounded by people that also enjoy the sport and people that I enjoy," says the Olympic gold-medalist, 32, who underwent two surgeries for testicular cancer.

4 of 26

Advertisement

5 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS KERRI WALSH JENNINGS & BROOKE SWEAT

Kerri-Walsh-Jennings_Lifestyle_4157
Credit: Courtesy NBC Olympics

"I am a very competitive person. I'm very determined, very motivated for Tokyo. Kerri and I both experienced heartbreak in Rio, so I think we're both using that as motivation for Tokyo," Sweat, 35, says of new partner Jennings, 42, a legend in beach volleyball and a five-time Olympian.

5 of 26

6 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

RUNNER DAVID BROWN & JEROME AVERY

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes

"When we get training in, the rest takes care of itself. Repetition, repetition, repetition. That's all we got to do is just continue to get the reps and continue to grind hard and the rest will take care of itself," paralympian Brown, 28, says of his training style with guide runner Avery.

6 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

7 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

SWIMMER KATIE LEDECKY

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes
Credit: Courtesy NBC Olympics

"I'm excited to have the opportunity again to represent my country," says the two-time Olympian, 24. "I've gotten older, I've gone to college, lots of different things happening in my life. So that's been exciting and fun. I feel like I've learned and grown."

7 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement

8 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

BASKETBALL PLAYER SUE BIRD

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes

"The last couple of years I really found a routine and a regimen that works for me. I'm the old dog not learning any new tricks, so just need to make sure my body's healthy," says the WNBA legend and four-time gold medalist, 40, the partner of fellow Olympian Rapinoe. "It's more about that than it is basketball. At this stage everyone could shoot, everyone could pass, everyone can dribble. But for me it's like my body has to be able to do the things I want it to do and that's what my focus lies."

8 of 26

Advertisement

9 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

SWIMMER RYAN LOCHTE

NBC-3830-SuperShoot_D513000

"I always pictured myself having kids but didn't think that was realistic. And definitely not having a wife," Lochte, 36, says of his life after the Rio Games. "I'm so happy with my life and the way things are going right now. If this all said and done now, I'd be happy."

9 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

10 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

GYMNAST SUNI LEE

NBC-3830-SuperShoot_D49748
Credit: Courtesy NBC Olympics

"Nothing that I'm going through is as hard as what he's going through and it's just very difficult," says the 18-year-old, who is dedicating her Olympics dreams to her father after he became paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury. "I really want my family to come to the Olympics."

10 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

11 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

SURFER KOLOHE ANDINO

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes

"I think the waves in Japan will be pretty fun. It'll be a lot of aerial maneuvers, so it should be pretty exciting to watch," the 27-year-old says ahead of his sport's Olympic debut. "I've been in Japan a couple of times to surf. It's a great place, and I really like the culture there. It's rad."

11 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement

12 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

SOCCER PLAYER CRYSTAL DUNN

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes
Credit: Courtesy NBC Olympics

"Everything about this year was winning a World Cup and then blink of an eye, now that's done and now our new focus is the Olympics," says the USWNT star and one-time Olympian, 28. "We feel like we're in a great place right now. But with that being said, when we step into a new tournament, it's a blank slate. Every team is going to want what we had and want to beat us."

12 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

13 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

TRIATHLETE MELISSA STOCKWELL

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes
Credit: Courtesy NBC Olympics

"When I did my rehab at Walter Reed, there were other soldiers missing two, three, four limbs. I thought, How can I complain when all I lost was one leg? When I'm out, when I'm doing the race, when it gets hard, when it gets tough, I realize I'm out there because I can be," says Stockwell, 41, who earned a Purple Heart. "I run or I race because I can, and kind of dig deep and realize I'm out there racing for those that gave that ultimate sacrifice, wanting to represent my country and just make them proud."

13 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

14 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

SKATEBOARDER HEIMANA REYNOLDS

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes
Credit: Courtesy NBC Olympics

"Definitely feels like I have this kind of momentum and motivation to just go into the next event and just strong and willing and ready," the 22-year-old says ahead of his sport's Olympic debut. "I never want to go into a contest like, 'Okay, I won the last one, whatever, I got this.' I go into every event thinking, 'I'm going to lose this contest. I don't want to get my hopes up, I just want to go in there, try my absolute best and hopefully be where I want to be.' "

14 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement

15 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

KARATE FIGHTER SAKURA KOKUMAI

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes

"My family is from Japan. And I've lived in Tokyo for a while, so it really means a lot for me to go back, to represent my family, but also my country," says the athlete, 28, ahead of karate's Olympic debut.

15 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

16 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

DIVER DAVID BOUDIA

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes

"I'm going into my fourth Olympics. I feel very confident actually going into an Olympic game," the veteran medalist, 31, says. "I switched events last year to do the three meter springboard, it kind of rejuvenated my career a little bit. I think having kids helped, believe it or not, because they're nuts."

16 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

17 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

SOCCER PLAYER JULIE ERTZ

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes

"I think it's no surprise that Rio wasn't a great finish for us, I don't think it's any secret," the USWNT star, 29, says of the team's fifth-place finish at the 2016 Games. "We want to go to the Olympics to win. That's obviously my goal. I'm excited for the new challenge. I'm excited for another opportunity. It's definitely an exciting time."

17 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement

18 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

CLIMBER BROOKE RABOUTOU

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes
Credit: Courtesy NBC Olympics

"I want to be as prepared as I can be. That's why I'm taking the semester off so I can really focus on my training," says the 20-year-old, who qualified for her sport's Olympic debut last August. "I hope audiences will be inspired by climbing and the climbers who are in the Olympics. Hopefully they'll be inspired by me as well."

18 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

19 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

CYCLIST OKSANA MASTERS

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes
Credit: Courtesy NBC Olympics

"I don't feel myself as a veteran yet — because it's different sports every time, it feels like the first time every time. It's really cool," says the paralympian, 31, who has competed in both the Summer and Winter Games for, respectively, rowing and cycling and then biathlon and skiing. "I want the U.S. Paralympic Team to be a force. It's really cool to be a physical example and have someone that somebody can relate to."

19 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

20 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

GYMNAST GRACE McCALLUM

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes

"It's been amazing being with Simone [Biles] because she does know so much already," the 18-year-old says of learning from veteran medalist. "She's had so much experience. She really guides you and shows you the way."

20 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement

21 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

RUNNER HUNTER WOODHALL

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes
Credit: Courtesy NBC Olympics

"I was born with a birth defect. I had my legs amputated when I was a year old. Shortly after, I started playing sports," says the Paralympic track and field medalist, 22, who is also a budding YouTube star. "I got to junior high, which is when I stopped being homeschooled and went through a lot of bullying. That's when I changed my life around and decided, 'Hey, I don't want to be seen as the kid without legs anymore. I want to be seen as an athlete.' "

21 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

22 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

SKATEBOARDER NYJAH HUSTON

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes

"I'm stoked to go out there and represent the U.S.," the 26-year-old says ahead of his sport's Olympic debut. "I'm always trying to progress on my board and I always have new tricks on my mind. That's just how I've always been. I love the challenge of skateboarding. I definitely feel like I'm at a good point in my career to go out there and kill it."

22 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

23 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

SWIMMER SIMONE MANUEL

NBC-3830-SuperShoot_D51417
Credit: Courtesy NBC Olympics

"I want to keep learning about swimming and learn what I need to improve on. And also just beyond that, I think it's really just what keeps me motivated is all the people who are supporting me on this journey," says the four-time Olympic medalist, 24. "I have so many fans who have really supported me and uplifted me, inspired me to keep pushing on this journey even when it's difficult."

23 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement

24 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

RUNNER EMMA COBURN

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes

"There's no better feeling than being on an Olympic podium and winning an Olympic medal. So I hope that I get to have that experience again," the track and field star, 30, says. "I'm coached by my husband. He's been coaching me since right after the Rio Olympics. I think there's just a lot of trust required for a husband-wife, athlete-coach relationship. We just trust that we're each going to do our job the best we can and love each other no matter what at the end of the day."

24 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

25 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

WATER POLO PLAYER JOHNNY HOOPER

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes

"As a kid, you see guys like Michael Phelps and Tony Azevedo. They get up there and they get a medal, that's the coolest thing ever to watch. I'm so excited to be able to have the opportunity, and I'm going to try it, get a gold medal for the U.S.," says the 23-year-old, who survived a deadly balcony collapse in South Korea in 2019.

25 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

26 of 26

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

SKATEBOARDER BRIGHTON ZEUNER

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Athletes

"Skateboarding's something I love and everything I do in the future, it's probably going to be because of skateboarding," Zeuner, 16, says of her Olympic dreams ahead of her sport's debut. "If I inspire girls or be a role model, it's great, because I know I was definitely under the influence of many, many older girls and I know how it felt to really look up to someone and still do. But I try not to put myself over people."

26 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Karen Mizoguchi and Adam Carlson

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 26 GYMNAST SAM MIKULAK
    2 of 26 RUNNER SYDNEY McLAUGHLIN
    3 of 26 SOCCER PLAYER MEGAN RAPINOE
    4 of 26 SWIMMER NATHAN ADRIAN
    5 of 26 VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS KERRI WALSH JENNINGS & BROOKE SWEAT
    6 of 26 RUNNER DAVID BROWN & JEROME AVERY
    7 of 26 SWIMMER KATIE LEDECKY
    8 of 26 BASKETBALL PLAYER SUE BIRD
    9 of 26 SWIMMER RYAN LOCHTE
    10 of 26 GYMNAST SUNI LEE
    11 of 26 SURFER KOLOHE ANDINO
    12 of 26 SOCCER PLAYER CRYSTAL DUNN
    13 of 26 TRIATHLETE MELISSA STOCKWELL
    14 of 26 SKATEBOARDER HEIMANA REYNOLDS
    15 of 26 KARATE FIGHTER SAKURA KOKUMAI
    16 of 26 DIVER DAVID BOUDIA
    17 of 26 SOCCER PLAYER JULIE ERTZ
    18 of 26 CLIMBER BROOKE RABOUTOU
    19 of 26 CYCLIST OKSANA MASTERS
    20 of 26 GYMNAST GRACE McCALLUM
    21 of 26 RUNNER HUNTER WOODHALL
    22 of 26 SKATEBOARDER NYJAH HUSTON
    23 of 26 SWIMMER SIMONE MANUEL
    24 of 26 RUNNER EMMA COBURN
    25 of 26 WATER POLO PLAYER JOHNNY HOOPER
    26 of 26 SKATEBOARDER BRIGHTON ZEUNER

    Share & More

    Pinterest Email Send Text Message
    PEOPLE.com

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Meredith© Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab. People is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab Manage Push Notificationsthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab

    Manage Push Notifications

    If you would like to opt out of browser push notifications, please refer to the following instructions specific to your device and browser: Google Chrome and Android, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge.
    © Copyright PEOPLE.com. All rights reserved. Printed from https://people.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Remember Their Names! These Are the Athletes to Keep an Eye on Ahead of Tokyo Olympics & Paralympics
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.