While sports fans in the U.S are constantly scouring the news headlines for the latest NFL, NBA, tennis, soccer, or Formula One updates, it is an Olympic year again, and another opportunity to support the Americans fighting for medals in Paris this summer. In a pleasant change of pace from the week-in-week-out domestic sports action, the event, which comes around every four years, will see 592 American athletes travel to France to compete in 32 different disciplines over the 19 days of competitive action.
The last edition of the Olympic Games was a resounding success for the U.S, with Team USA blowing away the competition to top the medal chart by a distance. With 33 bronze medals, 41 silvers, and 39 golds, the total count of 113 medals was 24 medals more than second placed, People’s Republic of China. Olympics betting odds will certainly be backing another huge medal haul in Paris, especially considering the talent the U.S is taking across the pond.
Athletes to watch out for!
Team USA has always been blessed with a vast talent pool from which selectors can choose the athletes to represent the country. Even for new disciplines such as skateboarding, surfing, and sport climbing, the U.S are taking 12, 5, and 8 athletes respectively for these sports. The new sports will add another exciting dimension to an already action-packed roster of Olympic action, but who are the U.S athletes to look out for in Paris?
Simone Biles
The 27-year-old is making a highly anticipated return to the Olympic gymnastics stage after taking a break from competitive action after the Tokyo Olympics, where Biles won silver medal in the gymnastics team event and bronze in the balance beam. The four-time Olympic gold medalist took a break due to mental health reasons and according to reports, Biles will be back and better than ever after prioritizing her health. Taking a break was an admirable step to take and is a splendid example for others, and millions will be extremely excited to see Biles back in action.
The whole Team USA basketball team
The basketball squad picked for Paris is enough to strike fear into any basketball team. The names LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Jayson Tatum could easily resemble an All-Stars team. Players like James and Curry can be labelled legends in their own right, but alongside Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Hailburton, Devin Booker, and Jrue Holiday, Team USA is close to formidable. For James, this edition will be his fourth Olympic Games and he will be hoping to add a third gold medal to those won in 2008 (Beijing) and 2012 (London).
