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Petit-déjeuner avec les Américains - version JO de Paris. Welcome back to one of my favorite series - Breakfast with the Americans! For the next two weeks, we are here to highlight the near 600 athletes who will represent our country in the 2024 Summer Olympics!
Our eyes will be glued to our TV's and phones, as our country can enjoy some unity in supporting the athletes. Back in Tokyo in 2021, the United States captured 113 total medals, 39 of them being goal. In Rio 2016, they boasted 121. Can they surpass that this year?
The Opening Ceremonies will be broadcasted on Friday at 1:30PM EST. Before we kick these games off, let's dive into the key headlines and showcase what this week looks like.
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Notable Storylines
The summer Olympics always boast the most star studded names, mainly because of Men's Basketball. LeBron James acclaimed to have formed the Avengers Squad, after a lackluster FIBA performance. The team is loaded with names and talent, including Kevin Durrant, Jayson Tatum, and Steph Curry. They boast a 4-0 record in pre-Olympic showcases, but barely won games against Australia and South Sudan. The international talent of the sport has grown tremendously, and it won't be an easy path. With the likes of Rookie of the Year and DPOY Victor Wemanyama and Rudy Gobert (France), MVPS Nikola Jokic (Serbia) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), and a loaded Canada squad - this might be the most difficult Olympics for the United States to date. Team USA has won gold in this competition the last four Olympics, and hold a 143-6 record.
In her third Olympics with a new group, the greatest Gymnast of all-time, Simone Biles is looking to redeem herself after injuries took her out of Tokyo. She earned four Olympic golds (team, all-around, vault, floor) in the 2016 Rio games, and is poised for a successful run during these games.
After over a century, golf was reinstated into the Olympic Games for Rio 2016. Now it is back for its third go-around at Le Golf National, located just southwest of Paris. The United States is lucky to have the Number One Golfer in the World, Scottie Scheffler, and a man who has six PGA Tour wins this season.
With 10 Olympic medals around her neck, seven being gold, Katie Ledecky is eying history. If she earns three medals, she'll become the most decorated female swimmer in history.
Hoping to redeem themselves, after a disappointing World Cup, the USWNT has hired Emma Hayes to lead the rebuild. Sha'Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles headline U.S. track and field athletes. Both speedsters are looking to break into the scene, after disappointing finishes in prior races.
Rhode Island Representation
Despite being the smallest state, Rhode Island will have some people to cheer for in Paris. 2x Olympic Medalist Elizabeth Beisel, will be an NBC Commentator for Swimming. Stu McNay of Providence will sail in his fifth Olympics. U.S. Rowing’s U23 Athlete of the Year in 2018 and 2019, Emily Kallfelz of Jamestown will row for Team USA.
On the collegiagte side, URI Women's Basketball Head Coach Tammi Reiss will be an assistant coach of the 3x3 basketball team. Former Providence College star Emily Sisson, will be in her second straight Olympics for distance running.
Outside of Team USA, Natalia Kuipers will represent the US Virgin Island for a second straight Olympics, and Providence alumni Jovana Nogic will play for Serbia.
Pre Opening Ceremony Events
I never understand why, but alas, there are events before the Opening Ceremonies. Tomorrow there is a whole slew of soccer and rugby matches. The United States will be playing the host country France in both sports.
This is the first Olympics for the United State's Men's team since 2008. Their expected to be infront of a 60,000 plus crowd at the historic Stade de Marseille. For those unfamiliar, the Olympic squad is capped at players 23 years and younger, with only three overage players allowed. Most notable on the team is defender Walker Zimmerman, who has 29 international caps under his belt and represented the United States at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.Seventeen of the 18 players on the Olympic roster played in Major League Soccer or developed in an MLS academy set-up. Their best showing ever was 4th place at Sydney in 2000, which at the time was led by 18 year old Landon Donovan.
As for Rugby Sevens, the sport made its debut at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. The United States placed 9th in that stage, and 6th in 2020.
July 24th
Men's Rugby Sevens | 10:30AM EST - Pool C vs. France
Men's Rugby Sevens | 12:30PM EST - Pool C vs. Fiji
Men's Soccer | 3:00PM EST - Mens Group A vs. France
This Weeks Schedule
July 25th
Women's Individual Archery | 3:30AM EST - Casey Kaufhold, Jennifer Mucino, Catalina Gnoreiga
Men's Individual Archery | 8:15AM EST - Brady Ellison
Men's Rugby Sevens | 9:00 AM - Pool C vs. Uruguay
Women's Soccer | 3:00PM - Group B vs. Zambia
July 27th
Badminton Mixed Doubles| 2:30AM EST - Vinson Chiu + Jennie Gai vs. China
Badminton Women's Doubles| 8:00AM EST - Annie Xu + Kerry Xu vs. China
Men's Beach Volleyball| 8:00AM EST - Miles Partain + Andrew Benesh vs. Cuba
Women's Water Polo| 9:35AM EST - Group B vs. Greece
Men's Soccer| 1:00PM EST - Mens Group A vs. New Zealand
July 28th
Badminton Mixed Doubles| 2:30AM EST - Vinson Chiu + Jennie Gai vs. Malaysia
Badminton Men's Singles| 8:00AM EST - Howard Shu vs. Indonesia
Men's Water Polo| 9:00AM EST - Group A vs. Italy
Women's Rugby Sevens | 10:30AM - Pool C vs. Japan
Men's Basketball | 11:15AM - Group C vs. Serbia
Women's Rugby Sevens | 2:00PM - Pool C vs. Brazil
Badminton Women's Doubles| 1:30PM EST - Annie Xu + Kerry Xu vs. Hong Kong
Badminton Men's Doubles| 1:30PM EST - Vinson Chiu + Joshua Yuan vs. China
Women's Soccer | 3:00PM - Group B vs. Germany
Women's Beach Volleyball| 4:00PM - Sara Hughes + Kelly Cheng vs. Czech Republic
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