The Olympics are in full swing and the athletes are proudly representing their countries of origin as they compete for gold. Team USA alone has sent over 500 athletes to the Olympics in Rio, but where were those athletes born and raised in America?
Hailing from sea to shining sea, Team USA brings together top talent from every region of the country. Learn more about the hometowns of Team USA Olympic athletes.
Ryan Lochte – Daytona Beach, FL
One of USA’s top swimmers, Ryan Lochte hails from Daytona Beach, Florida. Competing in his fourth consecutive Olympics, Ryan currently holds the world record for the 200 and 400 individual medley. Not withstanding any medals at the Rio Games, Ryan already has eleven Olympic medals to his name. Back in his seaside hometown, visitors can enjoy pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. With a hometown like Daytona Beach, it’s no wonder that Ryan was destined to become a swimmer.
Beezie Madden – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jumping over to the equestrian events, Beezie Madden is a member of the United States Equestrian Team. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Beezie has ridden horses since she was three years old. She was the first female show jumper to surpass $1 million in earnings. Beezie’s hometown of Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin, and that means there’s a wealth of opportunities for food, fun, and fabulous entertainment.
Simone Biles – Spring, Texas
Born in Ohio and raised in Texas, Gymnast Simone Biles considers the city of Spring, a prosperous suburb of 55,000 people half an hour’s drive north of Houston, to be her hometown. Widely considered to be in a league of her own, Simone has earned the most world medals in U.S. history (14) and the most world championships gold medals of any female gymnast (10).
Carmelo Anthony – Baltimore, Maryland
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Professional Basketball Player Carmelo Anthony considers Baltimore to be his hometown. Anthony became the No. 1 high school player in the country. Rio marks the fourth time he has been on an Olympic team. Competing against Venezuela in the Rio Olympics, Anthony scored 14 points and is now the No. 3 all-time leading Olympic scorer. Sports fans, art lovers and history buffs alike will all find something to love in Carmelo’s hometown of Baltimore.
Missy Franklin – Centennial, Colorado
Melissa Jeanette “Missy” Franklin is an American competition swimmer and four-time Olympic gold medalist. Rio marks her second trip to the Olympics. At seventeen years old, she won four gold medals and one bronze medal in London! She is the first woman competing for the United States to swim seven events at the Olympics. Missy’s hometown of Centennial, Colorado, is Located in the south metro Denver area and is home to 107,201 residents. As one of the safest cities in Colorado, Centennial has something for everyone, offering open-space, distinctive recreational activities and advanced business opportunities.
Allyson Felix – Los Angeles, California
Though Los Angeles may be recognized for its glitz and glamour, the city of angels is also home to Olympic Track Runner Allyson Felix. At the 2012 London Games, Allyson won her first gold medal. By the end of the Games, she had earned three gold medals and was named the IAAF World Athlete of the Year. Felix attended Los Angeles Baptist High School in North Hills, California, where she was nicknamed “Chicken Legs” by her teammates,
Jordan Burroughs – Sicklerville, New Jersey
Competing in men’s freestyle wrestling, Jordan Burroughs started his Olympic journey at the 2012 Games in London, where he won a gold medal. Raised in Sicklerville, an unincorporated community located within Winslow Township in Camden County, New Jersey, Jordan has been wrestling since he was five years old! He returns to the Rio Olympics for another taste of Olympic gold.
This is our second article featuring Olympian Hometowns that you can visit. Check out our top picks from the Winter Olympics in 2014, plus the best Olympic venues to visit in the US!
Have you visited any of these Olympic hometowns? Who is your favorite Olympic athlete? We invite you to join the conversation in the comment section below.
