The Olympics: 5 Athletes to watch

 The Summer Games are days away and I want to bring you up to speed on some of the athletes you should be watching and rooting for over the next two weeks. The commitment to just get through the trials is a test.As I did research for this post, I found that many of the athletes do not have sponsors. This means that they have to subsidise their raining. This is inaddition to maintaining a job,attending school and balancing family obligations. So shout out to all of the athletes participating in the Summer Games in Paris,France for their persistence.

A'ja Wilson- A'ja is the star forward for the two time defending WNBA Champions Las Vegas Aces. She is currently leading her team in scoring and rebounding. She was the WNBA Finals MVP in 2023.A'ja is an outstanding defensive player as well. Her off the court reume is quite impressive. Wilson was on Time Magazines list as one of the top 100 Influential People in 2024. She wrote a best selling book entitled 'Dear Black Girls:How to be True to You'.The book made A'ja a New York Times best selling author in February 2024. She has major endorsement deals with Nike and Gatorade. This is her 2nd Olympics and she won a gold medal in 2020.

Hezly Rivera and Quincy Wilson-Hezly and Quincy are getting accolades for being two of the youngest members of the United States Olympic Team. Rivera is a member of the gymnastic team and trains at the World Olympics Gymnastics Academy where she is one the world's top gymnast.Wilson is taphenom and his track event is the 400 meters. He has set world record times in 3 occassions over the past 6 months.Wilson is the youngest male to ever make the USA Track and Field Olympic Team. Rivera and Wilson are 16 years of age.

Sha'Carri Richardson-Richardson is a comeback story that many everyday people can relate to. She qualified for the Summer Olympic Games in 2020 after breaking the collegiate record for 100 meters.At 19 years old, she was one of the 10 fastest women in history. Sha'carri tested positive for cannabis use following her US Trials, andwas inelgible to compete in the 2020 Games. She enterd a counseling progtam and accepted a one month period of inelgibility. She is in her own words,"I am not back,I am better."  Richardson has set records in the past three years at the World Championships and is expected to win the Gold Medal in the 100 Meters and as a member of the Women's 4x100 relay team.

Simone Biles- Biles is known for her epic performances during the Olympics Games. She has also become a public advocate on for mental health. After dominating the 2016 Rio Games,she limited her participation in 2020 as she dealt with mental health issues. She took time away from gymnastics but has returned to her 2016 level of dominance. Simone is considered one of the greatest gymnast of all time and made ESPN top pro athletes since 2000 list. She is ranked at number 7. Biles is a hero to so many people and whatever she does in this year's Games will not deter her legacy. 

Here is a clip of A'ja showing off her dance moves! Just another one of her talents,

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