Light the torch and cue that iconic Olympics theme song — we’re ready for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics happening Friday, July 26 to Sunday, Aug. 11.
At this summer’s Olympic Games, approximately 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees will compete across 32 sports — including some new ones. Since we’re all about keeping it local, we’ve rounded up six Paris 2024 Olympians with ties to Chattanooga and Tennessee that you should keep your eye on. Let the Games begin.
Olivia Reeves, Weightlifting
Hixson native + UTC senior was dubbed one of the top 100 athletes to watch at the Summer Olympics after qualifying for Paris as the second-ranked athlete in the women’s 71 kg weight division. Reeves recently took the gold at the IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand — setting three American records in the process.
Rhyne Howard, 3x3 Women’s Basketball
Born in Chattanooga, Howard played college ball at the University of Kentucky + currently plays in the WNBA for the Atlanta Dream (and was the first overall pick in the 2022 draft). Howard earned her spot on Team USA’s small but mighty 3x3 basketball team, which begins competing on Tuesday, July 30.
Cierra Burdick, 3x3 Women’s Basketball
Speaking of the 3x3 basketball team, Burdick who is originally from Charlotte, NC has ties to Tennessee having graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2015. She played for UT’s women’s basketball team from 2011 through 2015 + has played five seasons in the WNBA for various teams.
Sunny Choi, Breaking
Originally from Cookeville (~1.5 hours from Chattanooga) and now living in New York City, Choi will compete in one of the new sports in the games, breaking (also known as breakdancing). She is the first Team USA B-Girl to qualify for an Olympic Games + will compete alongside three other USA representatives.
Alex + Gretchen Walsh, Swimming
This sister duo hailing from Nashville will both represent the country this summer. They each have swam seven collective years in the NCAA, claiming 24 NCAA Championship titles, 24 All-American honors + 14 NCAA records. Between the two, they also hold seven world titles + Alex Walsh took home a Silver Medal in the Tokyo 2020 games.
