The 2016 Summer Olympics are rolling around in a few days, so we’re highlighting some of the powerful and talented women who are traveling to Rio to win big for Team USA.
Gymnastics
Simone Biles
Simone Biles is a 19 year old who is stepping onto the Olympic stage for the first time as a leader of the US Women’s Olympic Team. In her career, Biles has won a total of 14 metals: 10 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze.
Gabby Douglas
Gabby Douglas is returning to the Olympic arena as a part of the women’s 2016 Gymnastics team. Douglas is returning after winning two gold medals in 2012, one alongside the USA team and one personal gold medal for Individual All-Around.
Basketball
Tina Charles
Tina Charles plays as a center for the WNBA and coming to Rio for her second Olympic games. In the 2012 Olympic games, Charles helped lead the women’s Olympic basketball team to a gold medal in London.
Sylvia Fowles
Fowles plays for the Minnesota Lynx and will be going to Rio for her third Olympic games. Having already won two gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012, Fowles is going to Rio to add to her collection of medals.
Boxing
Clareesa Shields
Claressa Shields is a 19 year old from Flint, Michigan who is appearing in her second Olympic games. This young woman won a gold medal for team USA in the 2012 Olympics in London and made history when she became the first American woman to win gold in boxing.
Fencing
Ibtihaj Muhammad
Muhammad is joining the USA Olympics for the first time in saber fencing. The graduate from Duke University has won a total of 5 medals in her career: 1 gold and 4 bronze.
Nzingha Prescod
This Columbia University graduate is headed to the Olympics for foil fencing. After making an appearance in the 2012 Olympic games, Prescod is returning for a second chance at placing.
Rugby
Bui Baravilala
This fullback from Honolulu, Hawaii, is headed to the Olympic Games with the US Olympic Rugby Team. Having only participated in the World Champion Experience since 2015, Baravilala placed 5th in her most recent competition.
Victoria Folayan
This Stanford University graduate will be appearing at the 2016 Olympic Games as a center/wing for the rugby team. Folayan has participated in the World Champion Experience since 2013 where she won a bronze medal.
Soccer
Crystal Dunn
Crystal Dunn is headed to the Olympic Games as a forward for team USA. This UNC graduate placed first in the 2012 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup as well as receiving the Golden Boot Award at the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Swimming
Simone Manuel
Simone Manuel is appearing in the 2016 Olympic Games in 3 events: 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, and 4x100m freestyle. This Texas native currently attends Stanford University and placed first in a 4x100m freestyle in 2013.
Lia Neal
This Brooklyn native is swimming in the 2016 Summer Olympics in the 4×100 freestyle. This future Stanford University graduate placed third in the 4x100m freestyle in the 2012 Olympic Games.
Tennis
Venus Williams
Venus Williams will be appearing in her 5th Olympic Games, starting her Olympic career in 2000. Alongside her sister, Serena, Venus Williams has won a total of 4 Olympic gold medals.
Serena Williams
Everyone knows that Serena Williams is a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court, and she’s bringing her talents back to the Olympics in her 4th Olympic Games since 2000. Williams has won a gold medal in doubles alongside her sister in all of her Olympic appearances as well as winning a gold medal for singles in 2012.
All of these amazing and talented women are headed to Rio to help team USA win big at the 2016 Olympic Games. Make sure you tune in to support them! The Olympic Games start Friday, August 5, 2016.
