Jul 9, 2024 - Olympics
Chicago athletes to watch at 2024 Paris Olympics
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Opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympics in Paris are July 26, and there are plenty of hometown athletes to keep an eye on.
The big picture: 29 Olympians from Illinois will be competing in the games, many from Chicago and the suburbs. Several more will compete in the Paralympics, which begin Aug. 26.
Here are just a few athletes and events to watch:
Paul Juda and Evita Griskenas: Gymnastics
- Deerfield-born Juda is one of five male gymnasts who will represent Team USA, and his emotional reaction to qualifying has already made him a favorite to watch.
- Griskenas also competed in Toyko in 2020 and has twice been named "Athlete of the Year" by USA Gymnastics. The Orland Park native competes in rhythmic gymnastics.
Tori Franklin and Zach Ziemek: Track and field
- Franklin is a returning Olympian in the triple jump. The Oak Park native coaches men's track and field at Concordia University Chicago.
- Ziemek competed in 2016 and 2020 and has been ranked as a top male decathlete worldwide.
Josef Rau and Kennedy Blades: Wrestling
- Rau is from the northwest side of Chicago and went to Elmhurst University; this will be the second Olympic Games for the Greco-Roman wrestler.
- Blades is a first-time Olympian from Broadview who holds the distinction of "First female to win a state title in Illinois against boys."
Maggie Shea: Sailing and Peter Chatain: Rowing
- Wilmette-raised Shea grew up sailing on her grandfather's boat in Lake Michigan and competed for the U.S. in 2020.
- This is the first Olympics for Chatain, a former Stanford rower from Winnetka.
John Jayne: Judo
- The University of Chicago graduate has won competitions for Great Britain and Bulgaria, where he also has citizenship, but chose to represent the U.S. in the 2024 games.