5 American Olympians You Should Know Before Rio 2016

The 2016 Olympics officially opens Friday night with the opening ceremonies in Rio. The next few weeks will be filled with nonstop action as the United States attempts to mount the top of the medal standings once again.

You know many of the U.S. team’s stars. Names like Michael Phelps, Gabby Douglas, Allyson Felix, Ryan Lochte and Katie Ledecky aren’t new. But there is a fresh crop of American stars who have yet to gain household recognition. Here’s a look at five of those competitors whose names you should know heading into the Rio Games.

Simone Biles (Gymnastics)

This could be the Year of Simone Biles. The pint-sized gymnast was too young to compete at the 2012 Olympics in London, but since then the 19-year-old has won three consecutive world all-around titles, three consecutive floor exercise world titles, back-to-back balance beam world titles, and has led the U.S. to back-to-back team championships.

Biles is favored to take home gold in the all-around, floor exercise, balance beam, and will be a factor in the vault as well. If she performs as expected and leads the heavily-favored American team to gold, she can lay claim to the title of greatest American gymnast of all-time.

Ashton Eaton (Decathlon)

You may have heard of Ashton Eaton, he won gold in the decathlon at the 2012 games in London. Now in Rio he’s trying to become the first man to repeat decathlon golds at the Olympics since Britain’s Daley Thompson did it in 1980 and 1984.

The 28-year-old Oregon native is unbeaten in major competitions since winning the gold in London, which includes back-to-back world championships. Eaton set the world record during the 2015 world championships in Beijing. He is the heavy favorite to take home the gold in Rio.

Tori Bowie (100 meters, 200 meters)

Tori Bowie isn’t a favorite in either the 100 or 200 meters, but she’s an emerging talent that seems to improve at every meet. She took the bronze in the 100 meters at the 2015 world championships, and finished third at the U.S. Olympic trials 0.04 seconds off the lead. She won the 200 meters at trials and leads a deep American team in the event.

Bowie has the third-best time in the year in the 100 (10.78) and the second-best time in the 200 (21.99). At 25, Bowie is a little older than most emerging sprinters. She’ll be one to watch as the track events heat up next week. If she can pull off a win in either the 100 or 200 it will be one of the biggest stories of the 2016 games.

Jordan Burroughs (Freestyle Wrestling)

Freestyle wrestling doesn’t usually rack up the television ratings, but Jordan Burroughs is so good you might want to give the sport a watch when he’s on. A three-time All-American at Nebraska, Burroughs won gold at the London Olympics in the 74 kilogram (163 pound) weight class. He’s a three-time world champion, who has only lost once in world or Olympic competition.

Burroughs’ 38-1 record in major international competition is stellar and he should have no peers in Rio as he looks to bring home another gold medal. The 28-year-old will be a must-watch athlete during the games.

Joe Kovacs (Shot Put)

Joe Kovacs and fellow American Ryan Crouser have dominated the shot put world in 2016. The pair have combined for the top six throws this year. A Penn State grad, Kovacs won the world championship in 2015, but finished second at the U.S. Olympic Trials to Crouser. We’re betting on Kovacs to take home the gold in Rio though.

The 27-year-old Kovacs will be competing in his first Olympics and could be a force in the event for years to come. His impending duel with the 23-year-old Crouser should be really fun to watch.