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The Olympics are on! Which state is supreme on Team USA?
The 2024 Summer Olympics kicked off July 26 to a rainy boat parade down the river Seine. As always, the United States reigned supreme by all the stats. USA sent the largest athlete delegation at 594 and it was a musical artist from the United States, Lady Gaga, who kicked off the entertainment for the ceremony. Further, it was the U.S. Athlete, Michael Phelps, who stood in honor as the most awarded Olympian in history. The United States has won the most medals in Olympic History by a significant margin including the most gold medals.
With the United States dominance so well established, each state in the union contributes to our country’s massive success and reputation at the Olympic games.
Here is how the states stack up:
California has the most athletes
The most populated state, California has 120 athletes going to Paris including two five time Olympians, Diana Taurasi on the Women’s basketball team, and Steffen Peters the equestrian competitor. Peters also has the distinction of being the oldest competitor on the United States team at 59. It was Steffen and his 16 year old horse, Suppenkasper (Mopsie), that went viral in the last summer Olympics for their EDM routine of which Snoop Dog was a huge fan.
Florida has the second most athletes
Florida has 42 athletes going to Paris and Miami is the city who is sending the most athletes per capita (six out of a population of 440,000). There are several prominent Florida athletes including swimmers Caleb Dressel and Ryan Murphy. While Katie Ledecky with 10 Olympic swimming medals is not from Florida, she famously trains at the University of Florida. Florida has the distinct honor of one of their athletes, the tennis champion Coco Gauff, carrying the olympic flag for the United States.
Texas has the Simones and Sha’Carri
Texas has the third most Olympians going to Paris at 41 and is the homestate of some of the most famous Olympians in the world including gymnast Simone Biles. Texas is also the home of 5 time medalist swimmer Simone Manuel. The fastest woman in the world, Sha’Carri Richardson is from Dallas and will finally be competing in the Olympics after being disqualified in the events leading to the Olympics in Tokyo.
Vermont has the most athletes per capita
With a population of 4.63 million, Vermont is sending three including Rugby player Ilona Maher whose social media presence has made her one of the most famous and beloved athletes from the United States
New York invented a new Olympic category
For the first time, the Olympics will feature ‘break dancing’ as a competition. The style of dance was invented in New York, USA in the late 1960s and early 1970s. New York is sending Sunny Choi as a Breaking athlete along with 30 other participants.
New Jersey is for the young
New Jersey is the home state for Hezly Rivera who is competing in gymnastics as the youngest team member for team USA. It’s also the home state of famous golfer, Scottie Scheffler who will be competing for the United States in the golf competition. Scheffler is only 28 now, but at 25 he was one of the top 6 youngest Masters winners in golf history.
Ohio is going for the GOAT
Another flag bearer (along with Florida’s Coco Gauff) is Ohio’s LeBron James who you might have heard of before. James is one of the most famous athletes in the world and plays professional basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers now but he is most famous for his long tenure as the hometown hero for the Cleveland Cavaliers (James is from Akron). Many argue that James is the ‘greatest of all time’ (GOAT) at basketball but some disagree and think it’s Michael Jordan but regardless, James is at the absolute top of greatest basketball players in history. Additionally, while Simone Biles was raised in Texas and claims Texas as her home, she was actually born in Ohio.
Nevada is lady ballin
Las Vegas, Nevada is home to not one, not two but four members of Team USA’s Basketball team. A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young all play for the Aces who have won back to back national titles and represent 1/3rd of the entire team. Nevada by far has the majority share of representation in women’s basketball. With the rise of WNBA popularity, there was no time like the present for these Las Vegans to shine on the world stage .
Wyoming, West Virginia, North Dakota aren’t going to Paris
These states unfortunately distinguish themselves by not having an athlete representing them on Team USA. Despite the map, the listed states are correct and Oklahoma did end up having an athlete.
Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas are one and done
These four proud states have just one athlete to carry the pride of their homeland in Paris. Think of the parades they’ll get at home! Kansas has Derrick Scott Mein who is on Team USA shooting for Trap (and recently won a world title). Oklahoma has Vernon Turner on high jump. Arkansas has Tara Davis-Woodhall on long jump. Davis-Woodhall has already won a lot of hearts with her signature cowboy hat and her iconically enthusiastic husband.
What makes your state special at the Olympic games? Reach out and let us know!
