There’s no shortage of Olympians with an Ohio connection 

Between superstars and unknown phenoms, the Buckeye State can stake claim to many exciting athletes representing the Red, White and Blue in the Tokyo Olympics this summer. 

You don’t have to look any further than Simone Biles, arguably the greatest female gymnast of all time. Born in Columbus, Biles is a four-time Olympic gold medalist. She’ll have an opportunity to put that debate to rest later this month, and potentially raise her career medal count to 35. 

On the pitch for the U.S. Women’s National Team, Mount Notre Dame graduate Rose Lavelle is one of the creative midfielders expected to lead a heavily favored USA team to another Olympic gold medal. Lavelle had a breakout performance at the 2019 World Cup and was awarded the Bronze Ball (the tournament’s third-best player) for her efforts. 

The University of Cincinnati and Ohio State University also have a collection of athletes representing more than 15 countries in sports ranging from synchronized swimming to the hammer throw. Although each athlete is looking to bring home the gold medal, for some the Olympics are about sending a message of inspiration back home 

One such soon-to-be Olympian is Ohio State All-American Maggie Barrie. After holding records at Worthington Kilbourne High School and OSU, Barrie will now represent Sierra Leone on the biggest stage. Barrie recently visited the country bearing gifts—almost 200 pairs of shoes—that were donated to her nonprofit venture, Shoes for Sierra Leone. 

The Tokyo Olympics will begin July 23 and wrap up Aug. 8.