More than 10,000 athletes from all around the world will be competing in the Summer Olympics in Paris.

Here are 25 who we will be keeping a close eye on as the Games progress. 

Some of them, such as Simone Biles above, are already household names. Others you might be hearing about for the first time.

<strong>Caeleb Dressel (United States):</strong> Dressel is widely considered to be one of swimming’s greatest-ever sprinters, and he made his mark in Tokyo by <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2021%2F08%2F01%2Fsport%2Fus-olympics-mens-swimming-gold-sunday-spt%2Findex.html">winning gold medals in five events</a>, including the 100-meter butterfly and the 50- and 100-meter freestyle. He also won two relay golds at the 2016 Olympics. He comes into Paris with a bit of a question mark, however, as he took an eight-month break from the sport and didn’t return to competition until earlier this year.
Caeleb Dressel (United States): Dressel is widely considered to be one of swimming’s greatest-ever sprinters, and he made his mark in Tokyo by winning gold medals in five events, including the 100-meter butterfly and the 50- and 100-meter freestyle. He also won two relay golds at the 2016 Olympics. He comes into Paris with a bit of a question mark, however, as he took an eight-month break from the sport and didn’t return to competition until earlier this year.
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<strong>Carlos Alcaraz (Spain):</strong> Alcaraz, one of the world’s top tennis players, comes into the Olympics fresh off his <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F07%2F15%2Fsport%2Fcarlos-alcaraz-wimbledon-spain-euro-2024-spt-intl%2Findex.html">second consecutive Wimbledon title</a>. This year’s Olympic tournament will take be played on clay, at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris. That shouldn’t be a problem for Alcaraz, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F06%2F09%2Fsport%2Ffrench-open-final-mens-final-2024-spt-intl%2Findex.html">who won the French Open there in June</a>.
Carlos Alcaraz (Spain): Alcaraz, one of the world’s top tennis players, comes into the Olympics fresh off his second consecutive Wimbledon title. This year’s Olympic tournament will take be played on clay, at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris. That shouldn’t be a problem for Alcaraz, who won the French Open there in June.
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<strong>Sha’Carri Richardson (United States):</strong> At the US Olympic Trials three years ago, Richardson won the 100 meters but was banned from competing in Tokyo after testing positive for THC, a chemical found in marijuana. She’ll be one of the favorites in Paris after winning the world title last year and <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F06%2F23%2Fsport%2Fshacarri-richardson-qualifies-paris-olympics%2Findex.html">running the fastest 100 time in the world this year</a> (10.71 seconds). She’ll also be competing in the 200 meters and the 4x100 relay.
Sha’Carri Richardson (United States): At the US Olympic Trials three years ago, Richardson won the 100 meters but was banned from competing in Tokyo after testing positive for THC, a chemical found in marijuana. She’ll be one of the favorites in Paris after winning the world title last year and running the fastest 100 time in the world this year (10.71 seconds). She’ll also be competing in the 200 meters and the 4x100 relay.
Dylan Martinez/Reuters
<strong>Katie Ledecky (United States):</strong> Ledecky, seen here on the right, dominated at the 2016 Olympics, winning five gold medals and setting two world records — one in the 400-meter freestyle and one in the 800-meter freestyle. She was the first swimmer since 1968 to win the 200-, 400- and 800-meter freestyles at the same Olympics. At the Tokyo Games, she won four more medals, including golds in the 800- and 1,500-meter freestyle. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F06%2F16%2Fsport%2Fkatie-ledecky-qualifies-paris-olympics-spt-intl%2Findex.html">This will be her fourth Olympics</a>.
Katie Ledecky (United States): Ledecky, seen here on the right, dominated at the 2016 Olympics, winning five gold medals and setting two world records — one in the 400-meter freestyle and one in the 800-meter freestyle. She was the first swimmer since 1968 to win the 200-, 400- and 800-meter freestyles at the same Olympics. At the Tokyo Games, she won four more medals, including golds in the 800- and 1,500-meter freestyle. This will be her fourth Olympics.
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<strong>Victor Wembanyama (France):</strong> Wembanyama, one of the host country’s most famous athletes, is the first player from France to ever win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award. The transcendent 7-foot, 4-inch superstar was a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F05%2F06%2Fsport%2Fvictor-wembanyama-nba-rookie-of-year-spt-intl%2Findex.html">unanimous pick for the honor</a>. He finished his rookie reason as the first player in NBA history to score over 1,500 points (1,522), block at least 250 shots (254) and hit 100 3-pointers (128) in a single campaign.
Victor Wembanyama (France): Wembanyama, one of the host country’s most famous athletes, is the first player from France to ever win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award. The transcendent 7-foot, 4-inch superstar was a unanimous pick for the honor. He finished his rookie reason as the first player in NBA history to score over 1,500 points (1,522), block at least 250 shots (254) and hit 100 3-pointers (128) in a single campaign.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
<strong>Diana Taurasi (United States):</strong> Taurasi, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, is looking to become the first basketball player of any gender to win six Olympic gold medals. The US women’s basketball team has won gold in every Olympics since 1996. Taurasi won her first gold 20 years ago.
Diana Taurasi (United States): Taurasi, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, is looking to become the first basketball player of any gender to win six Olympic gold medals. The US women’s basketball team has won gold in every Olympics since 1996. Taurasi won her first gold 20 years ago.
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<strong>Dominika Banevič (Lithuania):</strong> Breaking — elite breakdancing — <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2020%2F12%2F07%2Fsport%2Fbreakdancing-olympics-paris-2024-spt-intl%2Findex.html">is making its Olympic debut in Paris</a>, and the 17-year-old Banevič, aka B-Girl Nicka, is the defending world champion. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Folympics.com%2Fen%2Fnews%2Flithuania-teenager-b-girl-nicka-european-champion-interview" target="_blank">She says she tries to set herself apart</a> with a combination of complex moves and deep understanding of music.
Dominika Banevič (Lithuania): Breaking — elite breakdancing — is making its Olympic debut in Paris, and the 17-year-old Banevič, aka B-Girl Nicka, is the defending world champion. She says she tries to set herself apart with a combination of complex moves and deep understanding of music.
Nika Kramer/Red Bull Content Pool
<strong>Zheng Haohao (China):</strong> Zheng, at 11 years old, will be the youngest Olympian in Paris and the youngest Chinese athlete to ever compete at the Games. The skateboarder will be competing in the park event.
Zheng Haohao (China): Zheng, at 11 years old, will be the youngest Olympian in Paris and the youngest Chinese athlete to ever compete at the Games. The skateboarder will be competing in the park event.
Zhe Ji/Getty Images
<strong>Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (United States):</strong> At the beginning of July, McLaughlin-Levrone <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F07%2F01%2Fsport%2Fsydney-mclaughlin-levrone-400m-hurdles-world-record-spt-intl%2Findex.html">broke the 400-meter hurdles world record for the fifth time</a>, clocking a time of 50.65 seconds at the US Olympic Trials. She now owns seven of the 10 fastest times in history. She will go to Paris as one of the stars of the US track team and a strong favorite to defend her gold medal from three years ago.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (United States): At the beginning of July, McLaughlin-Levrone broke the 400-meter hurdles world record for the fifth time, clocking a time of 50.65 seconds at the US Olympic Trials. She now owns seven of the 10 fastest times in history. She will go to Paris as one of the stars of the US track team and a strong favorite to defend her gold medal from three years ago.
Charlie Neibergall/AP
<strong>Ariarne Titmus (Australia):</strong> Titmus, a swimmer nicknamed the “Terminator,” is looking to defend her Olympic gold medals in the 200- and 400-meter freestyle events. In Tokyo, she came back to defeat Katie Ledecky in the 400, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fworld%2Flive-news%2Ftokyo-2020-olympics-07-26-21-spt%23h_45a6c1b786b645901dfe01f1ea63982b">handing Ledecky her first-ever loss in an individual Olympic event</a>. Titmus also won a silver in the 800 and bronze in the 4x200 free.
Ariarne Titmus (Australia): Titmus, a swimmer nicknamed the “Terminator,” is looking to defend her Olympic gold medals in the 200- and 400-meter freestyle events. In Tokyo, she came back to defeat Katie Ledecky in the 400, handing Ledecky her first-ever loss in an individual Olympic event. Titmus also won a silver in the 800 and bronze in the 4x200 free.
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
<strong>Lasha Talakhadze (Georgia):</strong> No weightlifter in history has put up numbers like Talakhadze, who holds world records in the snatch (225 kilograms/496 pounds) and the clean and jerk (267 kilograms/589 pounds). He set both of those records at the World Championships in 2021, just months after <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fworld%2Flive-news%2Ftokyo-2020-olympics-08-04-21-spt%23h_b2d581282d1e9a09cad20a4e642accd7">setting Olympic records in Tokyo</a>. He will be looking for his third straight Olympic gold medal in Paris.
Lasha Talakhadze (Georgia): No weightlifter in history has put up numbers like Talakhadze, who holds world records in the snatch (225 kilograms/496 pounds) and the clean and jerk (267 kilograms/589 pounds). He set both of those records at the World Championships in 2021, just months after setting Olympic records in Tokyo. He will be looking for his third straight Olympic gold medal in Paris.
Seth Wenig/AP
<strong>Teddy Riner (France):</strong> Few athletes have dominated their sport like Riner, the world champion judoka looking to win his record-breaking sixth Olympic medal. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F08%2F21%2Fsport%2Fteddy-riner-2017-world-judo-championships%2Findex.html">The 6-foot-8-inch “Teddy Bear”</a> will be competing in his home city of Paris. He has won three Olympic golds and two bronzes going back to 2008.
Teddy Riner (France): Few athletes have dominated their sport like Riner, the world champion judoka looking to win his record-breaking sixth Olympic medal. The 6-foot-8-inch “Teddy Bear” will be competing in his home city of Paris. He has won three Olympic golds and two bronzes going back to 2008.
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
<strong>Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya):</strong> Kipchoge, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fsport%2Feliud-kipchoge-profile-paris-olympics-spc%2Findex.html">arguably the greatest distance runner of all time</a>, is aiming to be the first person to win three gold medals in the marathon. He has won gold in the last two Olympics. In 2019, Kipchoge shattered one of the most formidable barriers in sports by becoming the first person to run a marathon in under two hours.
Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya): Kipchoge, arguably the greatest distance runner of all time, is aiming to be the first person to win three gold medals in the marathon. He has won gold in the last two Olympics. In 2019, Kipchoge shattered one of the most formidable barriers in sports by becoming the first person to run a marathon in under two hours.
Alex Halada/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Darja Varfolomeev (Germany):</strong> In rhythmic gymnastics, Varfolomeev is going to be tough to beat. She won every single event at last year’s World Championships. The 17-year-old is only the second person in history to complete a full sweep.
Darja Varfolomeev (Germany): In rhythmic gymnastics, Varfolomeev is going to be tough to beat. She won every single event at last year’s World Championships. The 17-year-old is only the second person in history to complete a full sweep.
Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Tom Daley (Great Britain):</strong> This will be the fifth Olympics for Daley, a diving star who earned <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2021%2F07%2F26%2Fsport%2Ftom-daley-matty-lee-diving-olympic-gold-spt-intl%2Findex.html">his first Olympic gold</a> in Tokyo after winning the synchronized 10-meter event with Matty Lee. Before that he had won bronze medals in 2012 and 2016. Daley went viral three years ago when he was photographed in the stands <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2021%2F08%2F02%2Fsport%2Ftom-daley-knitting-olympics-tokyo-intl-scli-gbr-spt%2Findex.html">knitting a sweater for a French bulldog</a>. He said he picked up knitting and crochet to get himself through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tom Daley (Great Britain): This will be the fifth Olympics for Daley, a diving star who earned his first Olympic gold in Tokyo after winning the synchronized 10-meter event with Matty Lee. Before that he had won bronze medals in 2012 and 2016. Daley went viral three years ago when he was photographed in the stands knitting a sweater for a French bulldog. He said he picked up knitting and crochet to get himself through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Adam Davy/PA/AP
<strong>Stephen Curry (United States):</strong> Curry is one of the greatest basketball players of his generation, but he’s never competed in the Olympics. He’ll be part of a stacked team full of NBA stars, including LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum. Team USA has dominated men’s basketball since 1992, when NBA players were first allowed to play and the “Dream Team” became a global phenomenon. The Americans have won the last four gold medals and seven of the last eight.
Stephen Curry (United States): Curry is one of the greatest basketball players of his generation, but he’s never competed in the Olympics. He’ll be part of a stacked team full of NBA stars, including LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum. Team USA has dominated men’s basketball since 1992, when NBA players were first allowed to play and the “Dream Team” became a global phenomenon. The Americans have won the last four gold medals and seven of the last eight.
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<strong>Daiki Hashimoto (Japan):</strong> Hashimoto won the individual all-around at the Tokyo Olympics and he’ll be defending his title in Paris. Japanese men have won the past three all-around titles. Before Hashimoto, it was Kohei Uchimura.
Daiki Hashimoto (Japan): Hashimoto won the individual all-around at the Tokyo Olympics and he’ll be defending his title in Paris. Japanese men have won the past three all-around titles. Before Hashimoto, it was Kohei Uchimura.
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<strong>Armand “Mondo” Duplantis (Sweden): </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F04%2F11%2Fsport%2Fmondo-duplantis-pole-vault-paris-olympics-spt-intl%2Findex.html">Duplantis has dominated pole vault</a>, breaking the world record a staggering eight times. His latest record of 6.24 meters (20 feet, 5 inches), achieved in April, is eight centimeters higher than anyone else has managed in the history of the sport. He won his first Olympic gold three years ago in Tokyo.
Armand “Mondo” Duplantis (Sweden): Duplantis has dominated pole vault, breaking the world record a staggering eight times. His latest record of 6.24 meters (20 feet, 5 inches), achieved in April, is eight centimeters higher than anyone else has managed in the history of the sport. He won his first Olympic gold three years ago in Tokyo.
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<strong>Aitana Bonmatí (Spain):</strong> Bonmatí, left, was an influential figure in <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F20%2Ffootball%2Fgallery%2Fwomens-world-cup-2023%2Findex.html">Spain’s World Cup win</a> last year, scoring three goals and registering two assists and winning the Golden Ball for the best player in the tournament. The midfielder, who also helped her club team Barcelona win the double, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F10%2F30%2Fsport%2Flionel-messi-aitana-bonmati-ballon-dor-spt-intl%2Findex.html">was recognized as the world’s best player </a>when she the Ballon d’Or Féminin award for the first time in October.
Aitana Bonmatí (Spain): Bonmatí, left, was an influential figure in Spain’s World Cup win last year, scoring three goals and registering two assists and winning the Golden Ball for the best player in the tournament. The midfielder, who also helped her club team Barcelona win the double, was recognized as the world’s best player when she the Ballon d’Or Féminin award for the first time in October.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
<strong>Quan Hongchan (China):</strong> China’s diving teams have been dominating Olympic competitions since 1984, taking home 47 gold medals out of a possible 64. In Tokyo three years ago, China won seven of the eight events. One of the gold medalists was Quan, who was just 14 when she won in the 10-meter platform. Three of her final-round dives were perfect scores.
Quan Hongchan (China): China’s diving teams have been dominating Olympic competitions since 1984, taking home 47 gold medals out of a possible 64. In Tokyo three years ago, China won seven of the eight events. One of the gold medalists was Quan, who was just 14 when she won in the 10-meter platform. Three of her final-round dives were perfect scores.
Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Noah Lyles (United States):</strong> Lyles established himself as the fastest man in the world at last year’s World Championships, winning the 100 meters with a personal-best time of 9.83 seconds before claiming a third-straight crown in the 200. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F03%2F21%2Fsport%2Fnoah-lyles-paris-olympics-sprinting-spt-intl%2Findex.html">He’ll be looking to pull off the double in Paris</a>, and he’ll also be competing in the 4x100 relay.
Noah Lyles (United States): Lyles established himself as the fastest man in the world at last year’s World Championships, winning the 100 meters with a personal-best time of 9.83 seconds before claiming a third-straight crown in the 200. He’ll be looking to pull off the double in Paris, and he’ll also be competing in the 4x100 relay.
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<strong>Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica):</strong> This will be the final Olympics for Fraser-Pryce, a three-time gold medalist sprinter who has said <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F02%2F09%2Fsport%2Fshelly-ann-fraser-pryce-retirement-paris-olympics-spt-intl%2Findex.html">she will retire after the Games</a> to spend more time with her family. Nicknamed the “Pocket Rocket” because of her speed and diminutive height, she won the 100 meters in 2008 and 2012 and finished second at the Tokyo Games three years ago. She has become an instantly recognizable presence on the track due to her multi-colored hairstyles.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica): This will be the final Olympics for Fraser-Pryce, a three-time gold medalist sprinter who has said she will retire after the Games to spend more time with her family. Nicknamed the “Pocket Rocket” because of her speed and diminutive height, she won the 100 meters in 2008 and 2012 and finished second at the Tokyo Games three years ago. She has become an instantly recognizable presence on the track due to her multi-colored hairstyles.
Ina Fassbender/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Trinity Rodman (United States): </strong>Rodman is one of the new faces of the US women’s soccer team, which comes into this Olympics without Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and some of the other stars from past tournaments. The goal-scoring forward is <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F10%2Fsport%2Ftrinity-rodman-uswnt-womens-world-cup-spt-intl%2Findex.html">the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman</a>, and she is <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbleacherreport.com%2Farticles%2F10129126-usa-olympic-womens-soccer-team-2024-roster-starting-xi-top-subs-and-jerseys" target="_blank">expected to play up top with Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson</a>. In the midfield, the team will look to veterans Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Horan.
Trinity Rodman (United States): Rodman is one of the new faces of the US women’s soccer team, which comes into this Olympics without Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and some of the other stars from past tournaments. The goal-scoring forward is the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, and she is expected to play up top with Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson. In the midfield, the team will look to veterans Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Horan.
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<strong>Xander Schauffele (United States):</strong> Schauffele, the defending Olympic champion, is enjoying the best year of his career. Long regarded as one of the most talented golfers to never win a major title, he broke through to win the PGA Championship in May. He then followed that up with <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F07%2F21%2Fsport%2Fxander-schauffele-open-championship-2024-win-spt-intl%2Findex.html">a second major</a>, the Open Championship, in July.
Xander Schauffele (United States): Schauffele, the defending Olympic champion, is enjoying the best year of his career. Long regarded as one of the most talented golfers to never win a major title, he broke through to win the PGA Championship in May. He then followed that up with a second major, the Open Championship, in July.
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