Get excited because the 2016 Summer Olympics begin on Friday! There are myriad sporting events to choose from when rooting for and watching the games. For our purposes, we’ll focus on one: track and field. And more specifically — women.
The USA women’s track and field athletes include the best of the best. Here are a few of the women I’ll be watching:
Women Runners to Root for in the 2016 Rio Olympics
Track and Field Runners
Allyson Felix – 400m
Allyson Felix will be running the 400m this year, despite the 200m being her favorite event, and originally hopeful she would run the 200m – 400m double. She ran on an injured ankle while securing the 2016 title of world’s fastest 400m.
Tianna Bartoletta – 100m
Tianna Bartoletta hails from Elyria, Ohio. What makes that special? Not a whole lot except that it’s near my hometown of Cleveland. (Woohoo!) What makes her special? She “became the third athlete in Ohio history to win four events in a state championship two years in a row” — behind none other than Jesse Owens.
Emily Infeld – 10,000m
Another Ohioan, Emily Infeld‘s mom is the mayor of my former city of residence. Emily will be making her Olympic debut in Rio. She’s battled injury for the majority of her career. But she’s a strong runner and I’m looking forward to watching her represent the US and her hometown of University Heights, Ohio. Good luck, Emily!
Nia Ali – 100m hurdles
Nia Ali is inspiring on many levels. This will be her first Olympics. She holds the world indoor title in the 60m hurdles and recently defended the title. Additionally, she snagged the title originally just a year after she had a baby. Go mama!
Marathon Runners
Shalane Flanagan
Shalane Flanagan, one of the most recognizable names in our sport, will be competing in her fourth Olympics at Rio. She’s one of the strongest runners the United States has ever seen, and she’ll be a force to reckon with.
Des Linden
Des Linden, vying for a spot on the USA team back in February, had what can only be described as an amazing race. I look forward to seeing what she can do in Rio.
Amy Cragg
Amy Cragg is back with a vengeance. After missing the 2012 marathon team by one spot, she’s back and stronger than ever. If you watched the Olympic time trials back in February, you’ll recall that Amy Cragg won. With Shalane Flanagan the favorite of the three women, this was both a surprise and wonderful news for Cragg. Get it, Amy!
With so much incredible talent heading to Rio to represent the United States, these games will draw in many. I look forward to watching as many of the events as possible, hopefully inspiring my kids to take an active interest in sports as well.
xo
TALK TO ME!
Who will you be watching in the Olympics?
What’s your favorite Olympic event?
Loading InLinkz ...Also linking up with Nicole, Annmarie, Jen, and Michelle for Wild Workout Wednesday, and My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs for Tuesdays on the Run.
