Central PA connections to 2024 Olympics

PARIS (WTAJ) – The 2024 Summer Olympic Games are beginning in Paris, France. Over the past few months, WTAJ has been covering Olympians with connections to the area as they punched their tickets to Paris.

Pennsylvania alone will be sending the fourth most athletes out of any states, with 41 former PIAA athletes set to compete on the world’s biggest stage. Meanwhile, Penn State set a school record with 30 Olympians this year and is also among the collegiate leaders in crafting Team USA members.

Penn State to Paris: Cheickna Traore’s track record

Of all the athletes that walked through Penn State, Cheickna Traore sprinted his way to stardom on the track. He finished his first-ever race in last place but is now used to crossing the finish line in first.

This past year, Traore transferred from Division III Ramapo College to Penn State, where he turned heads by winning the 2024 National Championship in the 200-meter dash.

Traore was injured in his last competition before the Olympics but will still be racing in the 200m for his home country of Ivory Coast. His first race is on Monday, Aug. 5.

Woodward continues driving future of action sports

Despite Woodward, PA having a population of less than 100 people, the unincorporated town is well known around the world for its top-of-the-line BMX and skateboard-centric action sports facility.

Team Great Britain and Team Australia are just two of the many countries that spend time throughout the year to train at Camp Woodward.

Local wrestling club part of Spencer Lee’s path to Paris

Speaking of training Olympians, Young Guns Wrestling Club is located in the heart of Central Pennsylvania and is regarded as one of the best youth clubs in the United States.

The club, which was co-founded by Cambria Heights Alum and University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown NCAA Champion Jody Strittmatter, has trained tons of PJW, PIAA and NCAA Champions.

This year, Young Guns will have its first Olympian in Murrysville, PA native and three-time University of Iowa National Champion Spencer Lee. Wrestling begins on Aug. 5.

Nittany Lion Wrestling Club pins four to Paris

Lee isn’t the only wrestler with local ties in the Olympic Games. The Nittany Lion Wrestling Club has four members wearing Team USA singlets.

2016 Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder will be joined by Zain Retherford, Kyle Dake and Aaron Brooks in representing the club for the red, white and blue. Brooks shocked the wrestling world back in April when he swept reigning Olympic gold medalist David Taylor at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials .

Former Penn State wrestler Roman Bravo-Young qualified for the games for Team Mexico.

Bright future ahead

Two superstar athletes in the 814 almost qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games despite being in high school.

Bishop McCort rising-junior Jax Forrest finished in fourth place at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, where he defeated a former Division I wrestler and former Division II NCAA Champion.

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Meanwhile, Bedford native Leah Shackley swam against the likes of world record setter Regan Smith, who won two Olympic silver medals back in 2021.

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