The Tokyo Olympics are starting tomorrow (July 23-Aug. 8) and to get you excited about all of the athletic talent competing this year, we’ve put together a list of 10 Triangle athletes to watch this summer.
Check out the schedule + plan your Olympic events in advance. And don’t forget the Paralympic Games from Aug. 24-Sept. 5 — here’s the schedule.
Claire Curzan | swimming
Claire, who attends Cardinal Gibbons High School in Cary, will start the Olympics as a 17-year-old + has a lucky charm — that is, having the same birthday as Michael Phelps. She qualified with a time of 56.43 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly.
Hannah Aspden | swimming
As a Raleigh native, Hannah is a 2-time Paralympic medalist. She placed first in the 50-meter free, 100-meter free and 100-meter backstroke during the trials in Minnesota. Hannah competed in the Rio 2016 games and was the youngest USA swimmer to earn a medal at both the Olympic + Paralympic games.
Andrew Capobianco | diving
Andrew is a 2-time NCAA champion in 3-meter diving. The Holly Springs native is competing for the USA diving team where he will dive at the 3-meter height once again in both the individual + synchronized competitions.
Abby Erceg | soccer
Abby is captain of the NC Courage soccer team that calls Cary’s WakeMed Soccer Park home. She will be playing for her native country, New Zealand, at this year’s Olympics. If you want to see her play a little closer to home, check out Courage’s schedule here.
Debihna | soccer
Debihna — also a player for the NC Courage — will be playing for her native country, Brazil. Debihna can be seen in Cary playing forward + attacking midfielder for the soccer team. She was named Most Valuable Player during Courage’s second National Women’s Soccer League title run in 2019.
Lex Gillette | track and field
This 4-time Paralympic + silver medalist is returning for his fifth Olympics. The Raleigh local is known as one of the world’s best paralympic long jumpers and has competed in several world championships.
Morgan Stickney | swimming
Morgan competed in the 2018 Para National Championships winning the 400-meter freestyle and the 100-meter freestyle. She trains at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary + has prepared to swim in the 400-meter freestyle for team USA.
Sophie Hansson | swimming
NC State student Sophie will be competing on the Swedish Olympic team. She is a 10-time ACC champion + won the national championship in the 100 breaststroke, 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay.
Simonas Bilis | swimming
No, not the world-famous gymnast — Simonas Bilis, who’s name differs just 3 letters from other Olympic athlete Simone Biles, is an NC State alumnus. He competed in the Rio Olympics, and has 19 All-American awards + 16 ACC Championships to his name. He’ll be competing for Lithuania in Tokyo.
Tim Federowicz | baseball
Tim is an Apex High School graduate + Chapel Hill native joining the USA national baseball team. He currently plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers and has received recognition for being an all-star player in both 2009 and 2012.
ProTip: If you don’t have cable + are looking for ways to stream your favorite events, here’s how.
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