Dozens of Florida Athletes Chase Olympic Glory in Paris

A stellar lineup of America's top athletic talent emerged at the Olympic trials and is set to compete in the heart of Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

More than 40 Olympic athletes are proudly representing Florida as their home state, as highlighted on the Team USA Website. Many of them have deep roots in Florida, having grown up in the Sunshine State or attended local schools like the University of Florida and the University of Miami. Their chosen sports range from break-dancing to judo.

South Florida's own Coco Gauff, a Delray Beach tennis star who won the 2023 U.S. Open, was just named as the U.S. Olympic team's flag-bearer alongside Lebron James for the opening ceremony on Friday, July 26. Currently ranked second in the world in women's tennis, the 20-year-old has already locked up seven singles titles and nine doubles titles in her relatively short pro career.
Several Florida athletes are past medalists heading to Paris with hopes of rekindling Olympic glory. Originally from Green Cove Springs, swimmer Caeleb Dressel struck gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, compiling a total of five gold medals for the team. Dressel swam for the University of Florida for four years before making a splash at the 2016 Rio Olympics for his Olympic debut. He logged the fastest-ever 100m butterfly stroke, among other world records.
Past medalists from Florida returning to the Olympic games include swimmer Ryan Murphy of Ponte Vedra Beach, sport-shooter Mary Tucker of Sarasota, and golfer Nelly Korda of Bradenton, who won gold in women's golf at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has 14 LPGA tour event wins to her name.

Florida is also sending a fair share of first-time Olympians to France. The youngest player on the U.S. Olympic soccer team is 19-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi, who grew up in Key Biscayne and recently earned a spot on Inter Miam's roster with Lionel Messi.

"The fact that I can be there and represent the USA, the country I was born and raised in is huge,” Cremaschi told the Miami Herald.

With Olympic talent spanning the state from Tallahassee to Miami, be sure to look out for these athletes who are bringing their hometown pride all the way to Paris.

Female Athletes:

Daniella Ramirez, Miami, Artistic Swimming @daniellaaramirezzz

Lily Williams, Tallahassee, Cycling @willy_lilliams

Adrienne Lyle, Wellington, Equestrian @adrienne.lyle

Laura Kraut, Wellington, Equestrian @laurakraut
Nelly Korda, Bradenton, Golf @nellykorda

Angelica Delgado, Miami, Judo @juji_angie

Tracy Otto, Plant City, Para Archery @tracy_otto

Gemma Wollenschlaeger, St. Augustine Beach, Para Rowing @gemmakate__

Dominique Stater, Miami, Sailing @dominique_stater

Erika Reineke, Fort Lauderdale, Sailing @erikarreineke

Dania Vizzi, Tampa, Shooting @daniavizzi

Mary Tucker, Sarasota, Shooting @m.tucker10.9
Poe Pinson, Fernandina, Skateboarding @poepinson

Caroline Marks, Melbourne Beach, Surfing @caroline_markss

Emma Weyant, Sarasota, Swimming @emmaweyant

Kristina Teachout, Palm Beach, Taekwondo @kristinateachout

Coco Gauff, Delray Beach, Tennis @cocogauff

Danielle Collins, St. Petersburg, Tennis @danimalcollins

Aaliyah Butler, Fort Lauderdale, Track and Field @aaliyahbutler_48

Monae' Nichols, Lakeland, Track and Field @monaealiya

Tamari Davis, Gainesville, Track and Field @tamari.davis

Twanisha Terry, Miami, Track and Field @canonlybeme

Ashleigh Johnson, Miami, Water Polo @ashleighjohnson

Male Athletes:

Joel Embiid, Monteverde, Basketball @joelembiid

Omari Jones, Orlando, Boxing @bangerputdempaws

Victor Montalvo, Kissimmee, Breaking @supamontalvo

Kent Farrington, Wellington, Equestrian @teamkpf

Marcus Orlob, Loxahatchee, Equestrian @marcus.orlob

Jenson Van Emburgh, Belleair Beach, Para Table Tennis @jens_vandy

Ben Davison, Inverness, Rowing @benn_d

Clark Dean, Sarasota, Rowing @clark_dean

Perry Baker, Daytona Beach, Rugby @pbake11

Markus Edegran, West Palm Beach, Sailing @markusedegran

Noah Lyons, Clearwater, Sailing @noahklyons
Benjamin Cremaschi, Miami, Soccer @benjacreamaschi

Djordje Mihailovic, Jacksonville, Soccer @djordjemihailovic

Nathan Harriel, Oldsmar, Soccer @nathanharriel

Bobby Finke, Clearwater, Swimming @robertfinke

Caeleb Dressel, Orange Park, Swimming @caelebdressel

Ryan Murphy, Ponte Vedra Beach, Swimming @ryan_f_murphy

Austin Krajicek, Brandon, Tennis @austinrkrajicek

Donald Scott, Apopka, Track and Field @donaldscott_II

Erriyon Knighton, Tampa, Track and Field @erriyon.k

Jeremiah Davis, Lehigh Acres, Track and Field @_jaydxvis

Parker Valby, Tampa, Track and Field @parkervalby