Rio 2016 has begun and there are so many events and athletes. The United States Team has 554 athletes, 262 men and 292 women (Team USA). On some days of the olympics, there are multiple events. So who do you watch?
1. Simone Biles
Simone Biles has been all the rage in gymnastics lately. But why? In 2013, she won the United States all-around championship, and hasn't lost since then. She is now a three-time all-around world champion and four time all-around national champion. This means that no one in the United States or world has beat her for three years. Can she uphold that in Rio 2016? She is favored to win multiple medals in Rio, and America defiantly believes in her!
2. Allyson Felix
Allyson Felix has her eye on the gold. Felix competed in the 2004 and 2008 olympics running the 200m race, she got silver both years. She felt defeated both times, knowing she could do better. So, in 2012, she was looking for revenge, and she got it. She won gold in the 200m race, and also the 4x100m and 4x400m. She is hoping to go for gold again this year as she races in the 200m, 400m and 4x400m. She is more determined than ever now that she has tasted gold.
3. Kanak Jha
Kanak Jha competes in table tennis. The United States has never won a medal in the table tennis competition. Jha is only 16 years old and is known as a table tennis prodigy. He is the first American born in the 2000s to qualify for the olympics, along with Laurie Hernandez. He is young, hungry and ready to be the first American to win the table tennis competition. Although, he is not expected to win table tennis, he is determined to make his mark, as he is only 16.
4. U.S.A Mens Basketball
The United States Basketball team is the best in the world.They have a 130 wins compared to their five losses. They haven't been defeated since 2004 in the bronze medal game. Led by veteran Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant, and many other big names, they are expected to win gold in this years games very easily.
5. Katie Ledecky
At only 19, Katie Ledecky is favored to be a winner in this years swim competition. She has set 11 world records in other competitions (not the olympics). She has only been to one other olympic competition, when she was 15, and won gold in the 800m race. She is now older and searching for more gold. This year she will compete in the 200m, 400m and 800m. She is favored too win in the 400m and 800m, but she is looking to grab the 200m gold as well.
6. Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps has won 22 medals and is the most decorated olympian in the world. After the 2012 olympics, he decided to retire. But just two years later, he announced he will be looking to qualify for the 2016 olympics. The olympics are now here and Phelps is ready to chase more gold. He will compete in the 200m butterfly, 100m butterfly and the 200m individual medley. He is expected to win the 200m and 100m butterfly, but is going to go up against Ryan Lochte, his fellow teammate but biggest rival.
7. Kerri Walsh-Jennings
Kerri Walsh-Jennings is competing in her fifth olympics for sand volleyball, but this time, without her long time partner, Misty Mae-Treanor. This year she is competing with a new partner, April Ross. Walsh-Jennings and Mae-Treanor were one of the best duos in history. Everyone is wondering if the new duo will be as good as the last.
8. Ashleigh Johnson
Not only is she the first African-American woman on the water polo team, but she is expected to completely dominate. She went to college at Princeton and played on the water polo team and got her team to the championships. She also competed in the 2015 FINA world championships and won the gold, MVP, and Top Goalkeeper with 66 saves. This is her first olympics as a goalkeeper, and she wants nothing but gold.
9. U.S.A Women's Soccer
The women's soccer team won the 2012 Olympics, led by Carli Lloyd, who was also the hero for the 2008 olympic team as well. This year, although Abby Wambach has retired, the team is expected to win again. Big names on this years team includes goalie Hope Solo, Midfielder and hero, Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan.
10. Sam Mikulak
Although Sam Mikulak didn't do so hot in the 2012 olympics, he has since made a name for himself. In 2014, he won the mens all-around P&G Championship, also winning Pommel Horse and getting second in High Bar. In 2015, he participated with Team USA in the Pan American Games and won all-around. Since then, people have been talking about Mikulak and America is excited to see what he brings to Rio.
