Central Texas' Olympic hopefuls
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Alison Gibson, left, and Sarah Bacon after making the U.S. Olympic Diving Team in June. Photo: Alex Slitz/Getty Images
At least three athletes will represent Central Texas in Paris later this summer.
Why it matters: The Olympics are all about discovering rooting interests in sports you watch only every four years, and beyond all the flag-waving, it's fun to root for a hometown hero.
Driving the news: The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced the 592-member Olympic team this week.
- The Paralympic team will be announced later, after the Paralympic trials finish.
Zoom in: The team includes 25-year-old Alison Gibson (diving), who grew up home-schooled in Austin and graduated from the University of Texas — and also competed in the 2020 Olympics.
- 24-year-old Kate Knifton (rowing), who was born and raised in Austin — she attended McCallum High School and UT — counts painting and dancing among her hobbies.
Meanwhile, Jordan White, 15, became the youngest U.S. archer to qualify for the Paralympics.
- White, who lives in Cedar Park, likes to learn Photoshop in his spare time.
What they're saying: "Having a disability doesn't mean that I can't succeed as an athlete," Jordan, who was born with a right leg shorter than his left and had multiple leg-lengthening surgeries, told KXAN.
- A two-time national champion with the Longhorns, Knifton overcame a herniated disc and subsequent back surgery to make it to the Olympics. "She's superhuman in a lot of ways," her father, Matt Knifton, who owns the Texas Rowing Center, told the network.
Zoom out: A total of 37 current and former athletes and coaches from UT will participate in the Paris Olympics.
- Athletes from UT Austin will represent 16 different countries: Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Haiti, Hungary, Ireland, Jamaica, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Saint Lucia, Serbia, South Sudan, Taiwan and the United States.
Among the best-known UT alums competing are Scottie Scheffler in men's golf and Kevin Durant in men's basketball.
What's next: The Olympics start July 26.