SportPort™ is excited to witness the amazing female athleticism to be demonstrated at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Stay updated here on what you should know about the women of Team USA as they prepare for Rio.
2016 U.S. OLYMPICS: ABOUT THE WOMEN OF TEAM USA
- 292 WOMEN COMPRISE OVER HALF OF THE 555-MEMBER TEAM USA.
- TEAM USA HAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF WOMEN TO EVER COMPETE FOR A SINGLE NATION.
- THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND TIME IN HISTORY THAT TEAM USA HAS MORE WOMEN ON THE ROSTER THAN MEN.
- TEAM USA WILL BE REPRESENTED IN 27 SPORTS.
- 46 STATES ARE REPRESENTED BY TEAM USA.
- THE MOST DECORATED FEMALE ON THE ROSTER IS ALLYSON FELIX WITH 6 MEDALS, 4 GOLDS.
- THERE ARE 11 MOTHERS ON TEAM USA.
- ENGAGED COUPLE, KATELIN SNYDER AND NAREG GUREGIAN, WILL BOTH COMPETE AT RIO IN ROWING.
- FANS CAN USE #HELLOFROMHOME TO SHOW SUPPORT OF OUR U.S. ATHLETES.
FEMALE ATHLETES TO WATCH
INSPIRING WOMEN
- Jillon Potter, survivor of cancer and a broken neck, will compete on the U.S. rugby team.
- Ibtihaj Muhammad will become the first U.S. athlete to compete at the Olympics in a hijab, the headscarf worn by Muslim women.
RETURNING OLYMPIC WOMEN SEEKING TO DEFEND THEIR LONDON TITLES:
- Kristin Armstrong (Cycling)
- Gabby Douglas (Gymnastics)
- Missy Franklin (Swimming)
- Kayla Harrison (Judo)
- Katie Ledecky (Swimming)
- Aly Raisman (Gymnastics)
- Brittney Reese (Track & Field)
- Kim Rhode (Shooting)
- Claressa Shields (Boxing)
- Jenn Suhr (Track & Field)
- Serena Williams (Tennis)
- Dana Vollmer (Swimming)
6-TIME OLYMPIAN
- Kim Rhode (Shooting)
4-TIME OLYMPIAN
- Allyson Felix (Track & Field)
4-TIME OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS
- Serena Williams (Tennis)
- Venus Williams (Tennis)
TEAMS SPORTS TO WATCH
- The U.S. women’s basketball team will seek a record sixth consecutive gold medal.
- The U.S. women’s soccer team hopes to continue their gold-medal streak to four consecutive and become the first FIFA Women’s World Cup champion to win the following year’s Olympic title.
- The U.S. women’s water polo team will defend its Olympic title.
- The U.S. women’s rowing team has not lost an Olympic or world championship title since 2006.
- The U.S. women’s beach volleyball team has prevailed since 1996.
