10 Virginians to watch in the 2024 Paris Olympics

Celebrate the 2024 Paris Olympics by watching these 10 athletes who hail from Virginia. 

As the world eagerly awaits the 2024 Paris Olympics, Virginia has more than a passing interest in this year’s games. The commonwealth, known for its love of sports, is home to an impressive roster of athletes who will be competing on the global stage.

From seasoned Olympians to promising newcomers, these 10 Virginians are set to make their mark. To cheer on your fellow Virginians, be sure to tune into the games from July 26-Aug. 11. 

Grant Holloway

Hometown: Chesapeake 

Sport: Track and Field 

At 26, Grant Holloway already has a silver Olympic medal under his belt from the 2020 games in Tokyo. Surprisingly, he was a four-star wide receiver, but decided to pursue track and field over football to follow his dream of becoming an Olympian. 

Thomas Heilman

Hometown: Crozet 

Sport: Swimming

Born in 2007, Thomas Heilman was the youngest swimmer since Michael Phelps to qualify for Team USA at the Olympic Games. Despite his young age, he broke Phelps’s age-group record in the 100m, which was set at the 2003 World Championships. He studies at the University of Virginia.

BERLIN, GERMANY – MARCH 23: Tyler Downs and Greg Duncan of Team USA pose with bronze medal after the Men’s Synchronized 3m Springboard Final during the World Aquatics Diving World Cup 2024 – Stop 2 on March 23, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images)

Greg Duncan

Hometown: Oakton

Sport: Diving 

Greg Duncan, 25, started diving at the age of 12 and has watched the Olympics in awe but never imagined he would compete in the games. With hard work, he has secured several accomplishments, including a trophy during the 2024 World Cup. His passion for the sport extends to coaching summer league diving.

Leah Crouse

Hometown: Virginia Beach

Sport: Field Hockey

Leah Crouse has been playing field hockey since the age of 10 after driving by her local high school’s field on the way to a summer camp at her local recreation center. When she spotted the players working hard on the field, her father encouraged her to give it a try. She later joined the team, eventually helping it win its 18th and 19th state titles. The 24-year-old has racked up World Championship experience, including bronze at the 2021 Junior Pan American Championship in Santiago, Chile.

Claire Collins

Hometown: McLean

Sport: Rowing

Three-time All-American and four-time All-Ivy recipient Claire Collins is already an Olympian, having placed seventh in the 2020 games in Tokyo. The 27-year-old has also earned decorations at World Championships.

Christian Tabash

Hometown: Alexandria 

Sport: Rowing

Christian Tabash, 25, discovered rowing in 2008 after watching the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008. He later tried rowing after being cut from his high school’s freshman basketball team at the suggestion of his father. Luckily, he speaks fluent French, so he’ll be right at home in Paris.

Will Coleman

Hometown: Gordonsville 

Sport: Equestrian 

Will Coleman previously competed in the Olympic Games in London in 2012, where he placed seventh in the team competition and 37th in the individual competition. The 41-year-old has enjoyed World Championship success, having earned silver in the team competition and placed seventh in the individual competition in 2022. He studied at the University of Virginia. 

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – JUNE 22: Justin Dowell of USA competes in the Cycling BMX Freestyle Men’s Park Final during the Olympic Qualifier Series Budapest on June 22, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. (David Balogh/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images)

Justin Dowell

Hometown: Virginia Beach

Sport: Cycling 

At 24, Justin Dowell already has one Olympic Games under his belt, having competed in Tokyo in 2020. During that set of games, he placed eighth in the freestyle park competition. He’s been riding since 2004.

Hadley Husisian

Hometown: Oakton

Sport: Fencing 

At 20, Hadley Husisian was first introduced to fencing by the Nickelodeon show “iCarly.” She’s since established a career in the sport, having placed 10th during the 2023 World Championships. 

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 22: Kate Douglass of the United States competes in the Women’s 200m individual medley final on Day Eight of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium on June 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Al Bello/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images)

Kate Douglass

Hometown: Pelham, New York

Sport: Swimming

While Kate Douglass isn’t from Virginia originally, no 2024 Olympic list would be complete without mentioning the University of Virginia Swimmer. An experienced Olympian, she won bronze in the 200m Individual Medley during the 2020 games in Tokyo. The 22-year-old also won gold for the 200m Individual Medley and 4 X 100m Medley Relay in 2023 at the World Championships. 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.