Light the torch and cue that iconic Olympics theme song — we’re ready for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics happening Friday, July 26 to Sunday, Aug. 11.
At this summer’s Olympic Games, ~10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees will compete across 32 sports — including some new ones. Since we’re all about keeping it local, we’ve rounded up seven Paris 2024 Olympians with ties to Charleston and SC that you should keep your eye on. Let the Games begin.
Emma Navarro, Tennis: Women’s singles + doubles
This Charleston native and rising tennis star will play doubles with Desirae Krawczyk. ICYMI, she is fresh off her recent Wimbledon run, where she upset Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff. Navarro won the NCAA Singles Championship while at the University of Virginia.
Raven Saunders, Track + Field: Shot Put
Known for wearing colorful masks at competitions; this Charleston native graduated from Burke High School and this is their third time qualifying for the Olympics. Nicknamed “Hulk,” Saunders won silver at the 2021 Tokyo Games.
Canyon Barry, 3x3 Basketball
This former Cougar played for the College of Charleston (2013-2016) and for the University of Florida (2016-2017). Fun fact: He’s known for using the underhand “granny free throw” — a move his dad, Hall of Famer Rick Barry, was also known for.
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Track + Field: Women’s 100-meter hurdles
Camacho-Quinn, a Fort Dorchester alum, will represent her mother’s home country of Puerto Rico in the Olympics. She attended the University of Kentucky and won a gold medal during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
A’ja Wilson, Women’s Basketball
Wilson is from Columbia, SC + a University of South Carolina alum, and currently plays in the WNBA for the Las Vegas Aces. TIME named her one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2024. She’s also the author of the book “Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You.”
Melissa Jefferson, Track + Field, Shot Put
Jefferson is competing in the tktk and is originally from Hemingway, SC, and attended college at Coastal Carolina University.
Quanera Hayes, Track: Women’s Relay Pool
Hayes is originally from Dillon, SC. She went to Livingstone College in NC and competed in the Tokoyo 2020 games.
