Light the torch and cue that iconic Olympics theme song — the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics are underway through Sunday, Aug. 11.
At this summer’s Olympic Games, approximately 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees will compete across 32 sports — including some new ones. Since we’re all about keeping it local, we’ve rounded up seven Paris 2024 Olympians with ties to Madison and other parts of Wisconsin that you should keep your eye on. Let the Games begin.
Tyrese Haliburton, Basketball
The Indiana Pacers guard was born in Oshkosh, WI, about ~2 hours northeast of Madison and attended Iowa University. He’ll be ballin’ for Team USA men’s basketball alongside other NBA legends, including LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant. USA’s first game is Sunday, July 28.
Sophia Vitas, Rowing
Making her Olympic debut at the Paris Games, Vitas will compete in the Women’s Double Sculls. She was born in Franklin, WI, and is a UW-Madison alumna; she began rowing at UW in 2013. Her rowing events begin Saturday, July 27.
Maddie Wanamaker, Rowing
The Neenah, WI native is also a University of Wisconsin alumna where she began rowing in 2013. She previously competed at the Tokyo Olympics. In Paris, she’ll compete in the Women’s Eight — heats begin on Monday, July 29.
Emily Sisson, Track & Field: Marathon (aka Athletics)
Born in Milwaukee, WI, Sisson began her college career at UW in 2010 before transferring to Providence College in Rhode Island. Her dad also ran track at UW. Sisson competed in the 10K at the Tokyo Olympics but in Paris, she’ll take on the Women’s Marathon happening Saturday, Aug. 10.
Margherita Guzzi Vincenti, Fencing
This épée fencer from Hartland, WI is consistently ranked among the top 35 in her sport in the world. Although she was born in Milan, Italy, Guzzi Vincenti says “it means a lot” to be representing Team USA at Paris 2024. Fencing events begin Saturday, July 27.
Maria Laborde, Judo
Born in Cuba, this judoka now calls Kenosha, WI home. Laborde ranks No. 11 in women’s 48kg and is currently the highest-ranked American in any class, according to NBC Olympics. Her sport’s preliminary rounds begin Saturday, July 27.
Zach Ziemek, Track & Field: Decathlon
The Illinois native is a 2016 graduate of University of Wisconsin with lots of Olympics experience: he also competed in Tokyo 2020 + Rio 2016. The former Badger recently spoke with young, local runners about his career path. Decathlon events begin Saturday, Aug. 2.
