The torches are aflame, and now the World's best athletes compete for the most prestigious medals of honour in the 2016 Rio Olympics! Here is a closer look at the New York locals that are representing the United States this summer!
1. Matt Anderson
This volleyball star is from Buffalo, NY. Although he is only 29, this superstar spiker has earned countless medals and hopes to earn even more this summer!
2. Rudy Winkler
A track and field athlete competing in the hammer throw. Winkler is from Sand Lake, just east of the state's capital.
3. Deajah Stevens
From the town of Bayside, NY, this sprint star is the first to represent the University of Oregon in the Olympics.
4. Natasha Hastings
Hastings is a sprint athlete representing Brooklyn, NY. She recently ranked 9th in the Women's 400 m sprint, finishing it in 51.31 seconds.
5. Molly Huddle
A long distance runner born in Elmira, NY. She competed in the Women's 10,000 m and came in 6th place.
6. Miranda Melville
Melville is a professional race walker from Rochester, NY, currently living in Rush, New York.
A racewalker from Nesconset, NY, who studied at Long Island's own LIU Post. She also competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
8. Dalilah Muhammad
Born in Jamaica, Queens, Dalilah Muhammad is competing in 400 m hurdles, where she has set her own personal record of 52.88 seconds, and was the 2013 and 2016 American national champion, according to her Diamond League profile.
9. Anita Alvarez
From Buffalo, NY, Anita Alvarez competes in synchronized swimming. She has travelled all over the world, despite only being 19 years old! (Anyone else feel unaccomplished after reading this?)
10. Lia Neal
Lia Neal is a competitive swimmer that specializes in freestyle events. She also competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal for the United States. She is known as the 2nd Black Woman to ever make the US Swim Team!
11. Allie Long
Allie Long is a soccer mid-fielder from Long Island's own Huntington, NY.
12. Crystal Dunn
Another athlete on the USA Women's soccer team, Crystal Dunn claims roots in New Hyde Park.
13. Ryan Carlyle
Ryan Carlyle is an athlete from West Nyack; competing on the USA Rugby team. So far, the team has reached the finals in 5th place.
14. Henrik Rummel
A graduate at Harvard University, Rummel also competed in the Summer 2012 Olympics on the Rowing team. He is from Pittsford, NY, although he was born in Denmark.
15. Meghan Musnicki
From Naples, NY, Meghan Musnicki is an Olympic Rower that has won gold medals in both the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
16. Kristen Shaldybin
Kristen Shaldybin is a rhythmic gymnast from Brooklyn, NY that competes internationally.
17. Alisa Kano
Although born in Tokyo, Japan; Alisa Kano represents NYC as her hometown in this summer's olympics.
18. Melissa Gonzalez
Melissa Gonzalez is a field hockey player from Peekskill, NY. She also competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
19. Nzingha Prescod
A foil fencer from Brooklyn, NY; Nzingha Prescod was also a bronze medalist at the 2015 World Fencing Championship.
20. Daryl Homer
From the Bronx, NY; Daryl Homer recently won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics, competing in Saber Fencing.
21. Miles Chamely-Watson
British-born Miles Chamely Watson represents New York City in these Summer Olympics. He is the 2013 Individual Foil World Champion.
22. McLain Ward
McLain Ward is from Brewster, NY and is a competitive show jumper. He previously has an olympic medal in Team Jumping from the 2008 Olympics.
23. Beezie Madden
Beezie Madden is a show jumping competitor from Nelson, New York. She also won the 2013 World Cup for Show Jumping.
24. Megan Guarnier
Megan Guarnier is a racing cyclist from Glen Falls, NY. She ranked 11 in the recent road race.
25. Breanna Stewart
A professional female basketball player for the Seattle Storm, Stewart is originally from Syracuse, NY.
26. Tina Charles
Tina Charles roots from Jamaica, NY, and was drafted first in the WNBA draft.
27. Sue Bird
Also a basketball player on the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association, Suzanne (Sue) Bird is from Syosset, NY.
28. Carmelo Anthony
Originally from Red Hook, NY, Carmelo Anthony is a basketball player on the New York Knicks.
