Texan Olympic Athletes to Watch in 2024 Paris Games

The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics is upon us, and with it comes the showcase of Texan talent on the world's biggest athletic stage.

Team USA boasts 592 athletes, many of whom hail from the Lone Star State, each with their own unique stories and aspirations. Here's what you need to know:

Sha'Carri Richardson (Women's 100m, 200m, and 4 x 100m relay):

• Dallas native, 24 years old.
• Disqualified from the 2021 Olympics due to a positive test for THC, a banned substance.
• Vowed to return to sports after coping with her biological mother's death.
• Quote: "I want to take responsibility for my actions... I know what I did, and I know what I'm supposed to do."

Simone Biles (Gymnastics):

• From Spring, Texas; a veteran of the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
• Has won seven Olympic medals: four gold, one silver, and two bronze.

Brittney Griner (Women's 5x5 Basketball):

• Houston native, a three-time Olympian.
• Detained in Russia for nearly 10 months in 2022 on drug charges.
• Quote to NBC: "BG is locked in and ready to go. I’m happy, I’m in a great place. I’m representing my country, the country that fought for me to come back..."

Jeffrey Louis (Breaking):

• B-Boy breakdancer from Alief, Texas.
• A cultural educator as much as an athlete, Louis aims to introduce the world to the art of breaking.
• Quote to NBC: “There’s little to no education, globally, about breaking... I feel like this is an opportunity to educate everybody about what breaking is and the life skills it brings."

Other notable Texans include:

• Casey Kaufhold (Archery, Texas A&M University)
• Kevin Durant (Basketball, UT Austin)
• Hailey Van Lith (Basketball, Texas Christian University)
• Roscoe Hill (Boxing, Spring)
• Grant Koontz (Cycling, Houston)
• Kassidy Cook (Diving, The Woodlands)
• Scottie Scheffler (Golf, UT Austin)
• Jordan Chiles (Gymnastics, Conroe)
• Kate Knifton (Rowing, Austin)
• Vincent Hancock (Shooting, Argyle)
• ...and many more.

With such a diverse array of talented athletes, Texas is sure to make its presence known at the Paris Olympics.