The Summer Olympics are officially underway with competition already beginning, and the opening ceremonies scheduled for Friday.
With nearly 600 Americans heading to France to compete in this summer’s Olympics, Team USA is stacked with elite athletes and decorated Olympians like NBA star LeBron James, gymnast Simone Biles, and swimmer Katie Ledecky.
And while Team USA has firepower across the entire competition, here are three athletes from Team USA you’ll want to watch.
Noah Lyles
He’s technically the fastest man in the world. But he’s already entering the Olympics as an underdog.
The sprinter is the world champion in the 100-meter dash but is considered an underdog to Jamacia’s Kishane Thompson, setting up one of the most dramatic editions of the race in years – especially as the American has frequently talked about beating the world record set by Thompson’s countryman, Usain Bolt back in 2009.
Lyles aims this year for four gold medals, competing in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 4X100 relay and 4×400 relay. It’s a full plate for Lyles, who is trying to bounce back from a disappointing Tokyo Games three years ago in which he finished third in the 200-meter dash – his signature race.
Sophia Smith
The anchor for the U.S. Women’s National Team, this rising soccer star is playing in her first Olympics.
Team USA’s forward, who also plays her professional football for the Portland Thorns in the NWSL, is looking to make a major impact in her first time competing in the Olympics. With the U.S. women struggling to find their groove in warmup matches leading up to the Olympic games, there will be pressure Smith to provide a spark at the front of the US’ attack.
Smith leads a team looking for redemption after getting knocked out in the Round of 16 in last year’s World Cup and failing to take home the gold in Tokyo three years ago, settling for bronze after a triumphant stretch of major tournaments. With a new-look team, Smith looking to stake her claim as the next great American women’s striker as the rising generation of American soccer players comes into focus.
Caeleb Dressel
Dressel is already a decorated swimmer, now competing in his third Olympic Games. He is the standout men’s swimmer on Team USA and is looking to cement his place in American swimming greatness with the likes of past greats like Michael Phelps.
He’s already won seven gold medals in his Olympic career, but will compete in fewer races in these Games. He’ll focus on the 100-meter butterfly, the 50-meter freestyle and the 4×100-meter relay team.
Dressel has won gold in every Olympic event he’s entered so far in his career. It’s an ourstanding record that he’ll look to keep as he aims for double-digit gold medals over the course of his three Olympic Games.