The USA roster is here! In late July 2021, girls will compete as part of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Here’s a look at some of the Team USA girls competing in this year’s event:
Morgan Hurd is a 19-year-old gymnast who scored six gold medals across the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, Artistic Gymnastics World Cup, Pacific Rim Championships, and Pan American Games. Returning to Tokyo after two years, Hurd is also a notable activist for women’s rights.
Sydney McLaughlin is a 21-year-old track and field star. She is the youngest American to participate in the Olympics since 1972, having competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she finished 16th in the 400-meter hurdles.
Athing Mu is a 19-year-old middle-distance runner who currently holds the world under-20 record for the women’s 800 meters and indoor 600 meters. She previously won gold at the 2019 Pan American U20 Championships and silver at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympics, both for the 800 meters. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Athing is of South Sudanese heritage and studied at Texas A&M University.
Finally, the USA Swimming Team is taking eleven teenagers to the Olympics, including Katie Grimes (15), Bella Sims (16), Claire Curzan (16), Lydia Jacoby (17), Torri Huske (18), Phoebe Bacon (18), Emma Weyant (19), Regan Smith (19), Kate Douglass (19), Alex Walsh (19, will turn 20 during the Olympic Games), and Jake Mitchell (19). Of particular note to watch is Katie Grimes, who at age 15 is already taking the swimming world by storm, as seen in this video.
-Tiffany R. Isselhardt
Program Developer
Girl Museum Inc.