Placeholder canvas

Watch out for these athletes at Rio 2016

Date:

After years of planning and months of anticipation, the 2016 Summer Games finally kicked off in Brazil on August 5. The beautiful opening ceremony held at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium featured lots of great music and dancing, and even a supermodel. The highlight of the evening, however, were the over 10,000 athletes from 207 countries that marched proudly, thrilled to represent their respective nations at the world’s most prestigious sporting event. Though they are all champions in their own right, here are few youngsters that are expected to leave their mark at the Games of the XXXI Olympiad.

Simone Biles — US Gymnast

19-year-old Simone Biles took the gymnastics world by storm at the 2013 World Championships, when she won the world all-around title by almost a full point. She also took the gold in the floor, silver in the vault, and bronze in the balance beam competitions. Since then, Simone has earned two additional world all-around titles and world floor championships. She is also two-time world balance beam champion (2014, 2015) and has dominated the US national all-around championships for four years in a row. With a total of 14 medals, ten of them gold, Simone holds the record for the most number of gold medals won by a female gymnast in World Championship history.

With all these achievements, the “World’s Best Gymnast” is coming to the Rio Games with a lot of expectations. The pressure to excel is not lost upon Simone. However, the young athlete who has one of the most challenging routines any gymnast will be attempting at Rio refuses to stress herself out. Instead, she is just focusing on enjoying the experience and on doing her best. If history is any indication, this means some outstanding gymnastic routines and most likely a few medals.

Usain Bolt — Jamaican Sprinter

 The Jamaican runner who is better known as “The Lightning Bolt” took the world by storm at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games when he took home three gold medals. More impressively he is the first athlete in Olympic history to win both the 100m (9.69 seconds) and 200m (19.30 seconds) races in world record times and help Jamaica smash the 4x100m relay record (37.10 seconds).

To prove that he was just not a “flash (or should we say “lightning”) in the pan,” Usain repeated the feat at the 2012 London Games becoming the first man to win gold medals in the two events at consecutive Olympic Games. Given that this will be the running phenom’s final Olympics, the world is eagerly awaiting to see what happens. However, the 29-year-old who says he was “too lazy” to attend Friday’s opening ceremony, is not concerned. He has promised that “This is where history will be made.” So be sure not even to blink when Usain’s lightning strikes — For you may miss what could be the highlight of the 2016 Rio Games!

David Rudisha — Kenyan Middle Distance Runner

David Rudisha came into the limelight in 2012 when the Kenyan runner dominated the 800-meter race from start to finish. In what became known as “The greatest 800-meter race ever,” the runner who completed the distance in 1:40.91, became the first human to break the 1:41 barrier. To get a perspective on how amazing the time was, consider this — Britain’s Andrew Osagie who came in last in the same race had a time that would have won him a gold medal in any of the previous Games!

After spending 2013 and 2014 battling injuries, Rudisha came back strong in 2016 winning his second world title, and regaining is status as the fastest 800-meter runner in the world. Whether the athlete is able to run another history-making race will be revealed in a few days — but one thing is for sure, it will not be for lack of trying!

Katie Ledecky — US Swimmer

At the 2012 Olympic Games, 15-year-old Katie Ledecky became an overnight sensation after she won the gold medal in the 800m freestyle with an impressive time of 8:19.78. At the 2015 world championships, the talented swimmer stole the thunder again by winning five gold medals and breaking three world records.

Lelia, Lula And Lily Luik – Estonian Marathon Runners

Fans of the Olympic marathon may think their eyes are deceiving them when they spot not one or two, but three identical runners at the starting line. Meet the “Trio to Rio” — Leila, Lula, and Lilly Luik. Believed to be the first identical triplets to compete at the Olympic Games, the Estonian residents took up long-distance running just six years ago and have been hooked since. Though they may not dazzle you with a record-breaking time, the “Trio to Rio” will be a rare sight — One that we may never encounter again.

Sydney McLaughlin — US Hurdler

When this New Jersey resident was competing at the 400m hurdle tryouts in July, her mind was not on trying to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games. Instead, the 16-year-old was thinking about treating herself to a cheeseburger after the race. The quest to get the treat must have been so urgent that the hurdle phenom completed the course in a speedy quick time of 54.15. She not only established a new world junior record but also became the youngest US track athlete to qualify for the Olympics since 1972. McLaughlin who turned 17 on Aug 7, said though she had always hoped to go to the Olympics, she had thought it would take her at another four to eight years to qualify.

Yusra Mardini — Refugee Team Swimmer

The road to the Olympics is not easy for any athlete. But it has been particularly hard for Yusra Mardini who is a member of the world’s first “Olympic refugee team.” The 19-year-old always dreamed of swimming for Syria at the Olympic Games. However, in August 2015, after losing her home in the conflict that has embroiled the country since 2011, she and her sister decided to flee the country. The siblings along with a few other Syrian nationals first made their way to Turkey via Lebanon before setting off on a small boat to Greece.

While her dream of representing her country may never be fulfilled, Mardini will not have to forgo her desire to compete in the Olympics. In March 2016 she was one of ten athletes selected and funded by the Olympic Committee to form the first-ever refugee team.

Michael Phelps — US Swimmer

With 22 medals, 18 of which are gold, under his belt, US swimming phenom Michael Phelps says that this time around the search for medals is not his prime motivation. Whether he medals or not, one thing is for sure: Phelps will give his competitors a run for their money.

 

Also Read: At 13 years old, Gaurika kills at Rio Olympics

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Share post:

Subscribe

Popular

More like this
Related

Hope Everyone’s Rights Are Protected: UN On Kejriwal’s Arrest

Delhi CM Kejriwal was arrested by the ED(Enforcement Directorate) on March 21 in the Delhi liquor policy case, days ahead of the Lok Sabha polls

EAM Jaishankar Meets Ukrainian Counterpart Dmytro Kuleba In Delhi

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar on Friday...

Rajinikanth’s Thalaivar 171 First-Look Poster Drops

In a series of surprising announcements, fans were first...

Orry Faces Backlash After Declining Handshake At Event

Internet sensation Orry, famed for his wild antics and...