Illinoisans take immense pride in seeing a significant number of our athletes competing on Team USA at the Summer Olympics. This achievement reflects the state's strong sporting culture, excellent training facilities, and community support.

Each athlete embodies the dedication and hard work synonymous with Illinois, inspiring young sports enthusiasts across the state.

Their participation not only showcases individual talents but also highlights Illinois' contribution to the national sports arena. As these athletes compete on the world stage, they carry with them the hopes and dreams of their fellow Illinoisans, fostering a sense of unity and collective pride throughout the state.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics Friday, July 26 – Sunday, August 11, we'll have many opportunities to watch athletes from Chicago and beyond.

From NBC Chicago, here is a list of all the local athletes to watch:

Men's Football

Gabriel “Gaga” Slonina is originally from Addison, Illinois. After signing at age 14, he became the second-youngest signer in Major League Soccer history and the youngest ever for the Chicago Fire. At age 17, he became the youngest starting goalkeeper in history for the Chicago Fire.

Korbin Albert, originally from Grayslake, Illinois

Women's Football

Mallory Swanson plays for the Chicago Red Stars. She is also married to Chicago Cubs shortstop, Dansby Swanson.

Casey Krueger, originally from Naperville, Illinois

Alyssa Naeher plays for the Chicago Red Stars


 

Men's Wrestling

Kamal Bey, originally from Oak Park, Illinois

nbcchicago.com shared that Kamal attended Oak Park River Forest High School for three years until he decided to drop out and devote his time to wrestling.

Josef Rau is originally from Chicago, Illinois

Women's Wrestling

US Olympic Trial: Wrestling
Getty Images
loading...

Kennedy Blades, originally from Broadview, Illinois is the first female to win a state title in Illinois against male athletes.

KRFO-FM logo
Get our free mobile app

 

Volleyball

Lauren Carlini, originally from Aurora, Illinois


MORE: Chefs Agree, Illinois Pizza Joint Serves Best Slice in America

 

Men's Rowing

Peter Chatain, originally from Winnetka, Illinois

Women's Rowing

Grace Joyce is originally from Northfield, Illinois.


 

 

Rugby

Aaron Cummings plays for the Chicago Lions.

Lauren Doyle is originally from Boody, Illinois, and Eastern Illinois University alumni.


 

 

Basketball

2024 USAB Men's Training Camp in Las Vegas
Getty Images
loading...

Anthony Davis, originally from Chicago, Illinois

Anthony has played 11 NBA seasons with the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Women's Basketball

Phoenix Mercury v Seattle Storm
Getty Images
loading...

Jewell Loyd, originally from Lincolnwood, Illinois, was nicknamed “Gold Mamba” by Kobe Bryant. She was also part of the gold medal-winning team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.


 

Taekwondo

Faith Dillon, attended DeVry University in Lisle, Illinois


 

 

Fencing

Filip Dolegiewicz, originally from Park Ridge, Illinois.


 

Equestrian

Kent Farrington, originally from Chicago, Illinois.


MORE: The 5 'Must-Try' Chicago Hot Dog Experiences In Illinois

Track and Field

Tori Franklin, originally from Chicago, Illinois will be competing in the Triple Jump

Chase Jackson is originally from Springfield, Illinois. She qualified for her first Olympics at the trials in June when she placed first in the shot put competition. She is also the first American woman to ever win a world championship in the shot put. Her throw of 20.10 meters at the 2024 Olympic Trials was only .02 meters short of the trials record.

Sandi Morris is a pole vaulter originally from Downers Grove, Illinois

Deanna Price attended Southern Illinois University. This record-setting hammer thrower is headed to her 3rd Olympic Games. At SIU she became the fifth woman in NCAA history to win back-to-back hammer throw titles.

Deanna also holds the American record for hammer throw, which she set at the 2020 Olympic Trials.

Zach Ziemekis originally from Itasca, Illinois, and will be competing in the decathlon.


 

Women's Volleyball

Brazil v United States - Women's Volleyball Nations League 2024
Getty Images
loading...

Jordyn Poulter is originally from Naperville, Illinois. Jordyn won a gold medal with the team in 2020.

Kelsey Robinson Cook, originally from Bartlett, Illinois, won an Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Ali Frantti is originally from Spring Grove, Illinois.

Dana Rettke is originally from Riverside, Illinois

Men's Volleyball

Thomas Jaeschke is originally from Wheaton, Illinois

Jeff Jendryk is originally from Wheaton, Illinois


 

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Evita Griskenas, is originally from Orland Park, Illinois.

She is the only American rhythmic gymnast competing in Paris.


 

Men's Swimming

2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Swimming - Day 7
Getty Images
loading...

Ryan Murphy (left) was born in Palos Heights, Illinois. He's affectionately known as the “King of the Backstroke." Murphy also won three gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Ryan Held is originally from Springfield, Illinois.

Women's Swimming

Anna Peplowski is originally from Germantown Hills, Illinois


 

Judo

John Jayne attended the University of Chicago.


Gymnastics

Paul Juda is originally from Deerfield, Illinois. His favorite events are high bar and floor exercise.


Tennis

Rajeev Ram attended the University of Illinois. He also won the silver medal in mixed doubles at the 2016 Rio Olympics.


 

Sailing

Maggie Shea grew up sailing on Lake Michigan in Wilmette, Illinois.


 

BMX

Felicia Stancil is originally from Lake Villa, Illinois. The returning Olympian narrowly missed medaling in Tokyo, finishing in fourth place.


 

Field Hockey

Ashley Sessa is a Northwestern University Athlete.

Maddie Zimmer is also a Northwestern University Athlete.

MORE: 5 Most Expensive Places to Live In Illinois

LOOK: 20 Fascinating Photos From the First Modern Olympic Games in 1896

To celebrate the history of international sports cooperation, Stacker took a look back at that groundbreaking event in Athens, when the modern Olympics were born in 1896. Keep reading to learn more about the athletes, spectators, and sports at that iconic event.

Gallery Credit: Caitlin PenzeyMoog

LOOK: 25 fascinating vintage photos of the first Winter Olympic Games

The first-ever Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France, showcasing a variety of sports and athletes. Stacker assembled a collection of photos from those first Games.

Gallery Credit: Leesa Davis