Dreaming of gold: Olympians with ties to Columbus and Ohio competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics

Light the torch and cue that iconic Olympics theme song — we’re ready for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics happening Friday, July 26 through Sunday, Aug. 11.

At this summer’s Olympic Games, approximately 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 five Paris 2024 Olympians with ties to Columbus or Ohio that you should keep your eye on. Let the Games begin .

Simone Biles , Women’s Gymnastics

Did you know the most decorated gymnast in history was born right here in CBUS? Biles then grew up in Spring, TX and has gone on to win seven Olympic medals + 30 World Championship medals. At age 27, she’ll be the oldest American female gymnast to compete in the Olympics since the 1950s.

Cheer on Biles and the rest of the women’s gymnastics squad starting on Sunday, July 28 for the all-around qualifiers. Watch on NBC and USA Network, or stream on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, and NBC.com.

LeBron James , Men’s Basketball

The Akron-native and NBA all-time leading scorer will be the male flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony, becoming the first male basketball player to carry the US flag during the iconic celebration.

James, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, will lead Team USA alongside his Paris 2024 teammates like Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. Check out their day-to-day schedule so you don’t miss a game.

Ruby Remati , Artistic Swimming

Get ready to root for this talented Ohio State synchronized swimmer who will represent Team USA in Paris.

Remati was born in Australia, but grew up in Andover, MA and has dual citizenship. As a Buckeye, she won back-to-back national championships in 2022 and 2023. The eight-woman Olympic team will compete on Monday, Aug. 5.

Hunter Armstrong , Swimming

The former Ohio State swimmer is originally from Dover, ~100 miles northeast of Columbus. Armstrong previously competed in the Tokyo Olympics, where he won a gold medal with the 4x100 medley relay team.

In Paris, he’ll be competing on Team USA’s 4x100 free relay team. Indoor swimming events begin on Saturday, July 27.

Filip Bossuyt

Katie Moon , Track: Women’s Pole Vault

She’s aiming for the moon . The Ashland University alumna from Olmstead Falls, a ~two hour drive northeast of Columbus, is gearing up for another Olympic Games. Moon previously took home a gold medal in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo for pole vaulting and is looking to defend her title in Paris.

All track and field events will be held between Thursday, Aug. 1 and Sunday, Aug. 11. Women’s pole vaulting begins on Monday, Aug. 5.

Bonus : There are a total of 24 current, former, and incoming Ohio State athletes competing in the Paris Olympic Games. Some are representing Team USA, while others are representing their countries like Trinidad & Tobago, Germany, Canada, Nigeria, and France. Check out the full list of Buckeyes to root for in the Games, spanning sports like wrestling, diving, soccer, fencing, and pistol.