Winter Olympian from Michigan has message for athletes competing in Paris: 'Embrace those moments'

(WWJ) — As the 2024 Summer Olympics get underway in Paris this weekend, nearly 600 athletes will be representing the United States.

Michigan and Metro Detroit will be well represented, with 13 Olympians representing Team USA originally from Michigan and seven others who either went to school here or now live here.

Jake Vedder of Pinckney represented the Stars and Stripes at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, finishing sixth in the Snowboard Cross event.

Vedder told WWJ’s Luke Sloan our Olympians take pride in representing Michigan.

“I’m super proud of where I come from and where I live,” Vedder said. “Being a snowboarder from Metro Detroit is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

He said while the athletes have spent years and years training for this moment, it’s important for them to soak it all in. If he had the chance to talk to Michigan athletes ahead of the games in Paris he’d tell them to “embrace those moments.”

“You’re going out there to represent yourself, your country, your family, but really this is what you guys have been working for since you were little kids,” Vedder said. “The moment’s now, so try to live this moment and bring home a gold.”

Here are the 20 members of Team USA with ties to Michigan who will be competing in Paris over the next two weeks:

• Aaron Cummings, rugby sevens — From Muskegon, went to Davenport University
• Alena Olsen, rugby sevens — From Grand Rapids, went to University of Michigan
• Hannah Roberts, cycling (BMX freestyle) — From Buchanan, lives in Buchanan
• Heath Baldwin, track & field — From Kalamazoo, went to Michigan State University, lives in East Lansing
• Andrew Evans, wrestling — From Portage, lives in Portage
• Adam Coon, wrestling — From Fowlerville, went to University of Michigan
• Grant Fisher, track & field — From Grand Blanc
• Grace Stark, track & field — From White Lake
• Freddie Crittenden, track & field — From Utica
• Sorin Koszyk, rowing — From Grosse Pointe Park
• Abby Tamer, field hockey — From Dexter, went to Michigan, lives in A2
• Hobbs Kessler, track & field — From Ann Arbor
• Zach Hammer, sport climbing — From Ann Arbor, lives in Ann Arbor
• Payton Jacobson, wrestling — Went to Northern Michigan University
• Donald Scott, track & field — Went to Eastern Michigan University
• Charlie Swanson, swimming — Went to University of Michigan, lives in Ann Arbor
• Paul Juda, gymnastics — Went to University of Michigan, lives in Ann Arbor
• Mason Parris, wrestling - Went to University of Michigan
• Frederick Richard, gymnastics — Went to University of Michigan
• Jasmine Moore, track & field — From Texas, now lives in Detroit

The Opening Ceremony is set for 1:30 p.m. Friday as athletes make their way down the Seine River in a parade of more than 90 boats. Live coverage of the games will begin early Saturday morning on NBC and Peacock, running through Aug. 11.