Dallas-Fort Worth athletes to watch at 2024 Paris Olympics
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Sha'Carri Richardson leaving everyone in the dust. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
At least 14 athletes from Dallas-Fort Worth will compete this month in the Paris Olympics.
Why it matters: North Texas is home to some of the athletes who have the best odds to bring home gold for Team USA, including runner Sha'Carri Richardson, golfer Scottie Scheffler and sport climber Sam Watson.
- Plus, it's fun to cheer for hometown heroes.
The big picture: The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced the 592-member 2024 team last week, which includes 41 athletes from Texas.
- The Texas contingent includes Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time.
State of competition: Southlake's Watson set the new men's speed climbing world record in April. Meanwhile, Scheffler is the No. 1 golfer in the world and won this year's Masters.
- Richardson is so fast, science says she could technically run on water.
Zoom in: Several of the North Texas athletes heading to Paris have already competed in previous Olympic games, and one was part of the 2020 gold medal women's volleyball team.
Meet our Olympians:
🏃♀️ Taliyah Brooks of Wichita Falls will compete in track and field after achieving her personal best in qualifying events.
💪 Joseph Brown of Mansfield came in third in discus in the U.S Olympic Team Trials.
🚣 Teal Cohen of Dallas started rowing at The Hockaday School.
🏋️♀️ Jourdan Delacruz of Wylie competed in weightlifting in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but didn't medal. She won gold in the 2020 Roma World Cup.
🏊 David Johnston of Dallas is an eight-time All-American swimmer who attends the University of Texas at Austin.
🎾 Austin Krajicek of Allen came in fourth in men's doubles tennis in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The North Texas transplant is one of the best doubles tennis players in the world.
🏃♀️ Jasmine Moore of Grand Prairie will compete in the long jump. She also went to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
🏐 Chiaka Ogbogu of Coppell is a returning volleyball Olympian. She was on the gold-winning team in 2020.
🔫 Conner Prince of Burleson is a first-time Olympian in shooting.
⚽Jaedyn Shaw of Frisco was just 17 when she made her professional soccer debut. The now-19-year-old will play on the U.S. Women's National Team in Paris.
🔫 Austen Smith of Keller competed in Tokyo. Now 22, the skeet shooter was the youngest member of the Olympic team in 2020.
What's next: Opening ceremonies are July 26.
- The 2024 U.S. Paralympic Team will be announced Aug. 19.
Go deeper: Key dates for the Paris Olympics 2024