With the Opening Ceremonies just a day away and some soccer matches already in the books, it's time to get ready for two weeks filled with competition and drama.
If you're a "homer" and want to cheer for athletes with roots in the DMV or with ties to places like the University of Maryland, you won't be disappointed.
Don't just root for Team USA, root, root, root for the "home team".
Crystal Dunn, soccer: Dunn (#25) plays for the Washington Spirit.
Katie O'Donnell-Bam, field hockey. Bam graduated from the University of Maryland in 2011. This is her second Olympic Games.
Jill Witmer, field hockey. Another former Terp, she was the ACC Offensive Player of the Year in 2013.
Kevin Durant, basketball. The Golden State Warriors star, grew up in Seat Pleasant.
Jack Conger, swimming. Conger grew up in Rockville swimming for the Rockville-Montgomery Swim Club under head coach Sue Chen.
Chase Kalisz, swimming. Born in Bel Air, Maryland, Chase swims for the North Baltimore Aquatic Club under legendary coach, Bob Bowman.
Katie Ledecky, swimming. Bethesda's own, Ledecky already owns a gold medal from the 2012 London Olympics. She's headed to Stanford, this Fall.
Helen Maroulis, wrestling. She attended Magruder High School.
Angel McCoughtry, basketball. Grew up in Baltimore and attended St. Francis High School.
Ashley Nee, canoe/kayak. Born in Darnestown, she attended Maryland and is an EMT in Montgomery County.
Michael Phelps, swimming. Born in Towson, Maryland, Phelps is the most decorated U.S. athlete in Olympic history and a brand-new dad !
Aaron Russell, volleyball. Lives in Ellicott City and attended Centennial High School.
Katie Zaferes, triathlon. . A native of Hampstead, Md.
Kyle Snyder, wrestling. Attended Our Lady of Good Counsel in Olney, Snyder lives in Woodbine.
Joe Morris, sailing. The Annapolis native (R) attended The Severn School.
Carmen Farmer, rugby sevens. Farmer was born and still lives in Richmond.
Stephanie Fee, field hockey. Born and still lives in Virginia Beach, Fee (L) attended Duke.
Ali Krieger, soccer. Ali was born in Alexandria, but raised in Dumfries. After starting high school at C.D. Hylton, she transferred to the newly opened Forest Park High School in Woodbridge.
Denis Kudla, tennis. Born in the Ukraine, Kudla moved to Fairfax at the age of one.
Francena McCorory, track & field. Born in Hampton, she attended Hampton University.
LaShawn Merritt, track & field. From Portsmouth.
Reid Priddy, volleyball. From Richmond, this is Priddy's fourth Olympic games.
Matthew Centrowitz Jr., track & field. Attended Broadneck High School and his dad, Matthew Sr is the head track coach at American University.
Bryon Robinson, track & field. Hails from Chesapeake.
David Verburg, track & field. From Lynchburg.
Casey Eichfeld and Michal Smolen, canoe/kayak. While both are not locals, they do train at the Potomac Whitewater Racing Center.There are, of course, more athletes to keep an eye on while watching the Rio games. DC native, Katherine Holmes, who competes in fencing; Gary Russell boxing in the light welterweight division; Lucas Kozeniesky from Fairfax, who competes in shooting (Air); equestrian Lauren Kieffer from Middleburg; Matt Miller, a rower from Springfield; Ginny Thrasher, also from Springfield who competes in shooting (Air, 50M Three Position) and Caylee Watson from American University, who's representing the U.S. Virgin Islands in swimming.As you can see, there is no shortage of local flavor in these games.We wish them all luck !!
