Meet the Hoosiers headed to the Olympics
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Indy's Cole Hocker is going for gold in Paris. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
The Paris Olympics start Friday, and a number of local athletes are gearing up to show the City of Love a little Hoosier hospitality.
Why it matters: Nearly every state is represented on Team USA's 592-member roster, and Indiana is tied with Georgia for the eighth-most qualified athletes (24) from any state.
Zoom in: Central Indiana has 11 athletes competing in a half dozen different sports.
While not from Indiana, a pair of Indy hoops heroes will also compete in Paris.
- Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is a member of the 2024 USA Basketball Men's National Team, and Fever guard Kristy Wallace has been selected to represent Australia.
Plus: A few more Hoosiers have qualified for the Paralympian team, including Greenwood swimmer Grace Nuhfer.
- The full U.S. Paralympic Team will be announced Aug. 19. The 2024 Paralympics begin on Aug. 28.
Meet our Central Indiana Olympians:
🏐 Matt Anderson of Zionsville, 37, volleyball.
- Four-time Olympian who holds a bronze medal. His wrist tattoo is in honor of his nephew.
🏊 Sarah Bacon of Indianapolis, 27, diving.
- First-time Olympian pursuing a master's in sports management at the University of Minnesota.
🚴 Chloé Dygert of Brownsburg, 27, cycling.
- Three-time Olympian who holds a silver and bronze medal. A Michael Jackson fan and her favorite color is hot pink.
🏃 Cole Hocker of Indianapolis, 23, track and field.
- Two-time Olympian who finished sixth in the men's 1500m in Tokyo in 2020.
🧗 Piper Kelly of Indianapolis, 24, climbing.
- First-time Olympian who is the first-ever women's speed climbing champion.
🏊 Drew Kibler of Carmel, 24, swimming.
- Two-time Olympian who enjoys fine art photography, slacklining, drawing, painting and hiking.
🎾 Rajeev Ram of Carmel, 40, tennis.
- Three-time Olympian who holds a silver medal and has been playing tennis since age 4.
🏊 Aaron Shackell of Carmel, 19, swimming.
- First-time Olympian who trained at Carmel Swim Club. Committed to the University of California, transferred to the University of Texas.
🏊 Alex Shackell of Carmel, 17, swimming.
- First-time Olympian and the first Carmel girls swimmer to compete in the Olympics. Younger sister of Aaron Shackell.
🚴 Felicia Stancil of Indianapolis, 29, cycling.
- Two-time Olympian who considers winning her first world title in the Netherlands at age 9 her most "monumental memory."
🏊 Daryn Wright of Plainfield, 20, diving.
- First-time Olympian who has committed to dive at Purdue University and plans to study genetics.
🏊 Luke Whitlock of Noblesville, 18, swimming.
- A first-time Olympian who says Daniel Whiffen and Bobby Finke are his favorite swimmers.
What's next: Opening ceremonies are Friday at 1:30pm with coverage on NBC and Peacock.
- A prime-time presentation will begin at 7:30pm.