15 Headline-Making Olympians at the Rio Olympics 2016

Posted on August 8, 2016

HELLO RIO. With the Olympics kicking off this month, the excitement only got real as we got to investigate some of the most intriguing athletes on and off the courts

 

The 2016 Olympics just began last Friday, but some of the athletes have managed to cause a sensation in and out of the field. And that’s why we’re coming up with this list of sensational male Olympic swimmers, gymnasts, track and fielders, divers and tennis players. Check it out!

 

SWIMMING

 

1. Adam Peaty (Great Britain)

Not only did the swimmer is the first athlete to earn a gold medal for his country after winning the 100-meter breaststroke, he also set a new world record while doing so. What makes his winning more endearing, though, is his grandmother, the self-acclaimed #OlympicNan, who has been stealing hearts with her super adorable tweets about her grandson.

 

2. Florent Manaudou (France)

Manaudou (far right) with his teammates (from left): Fabien Gilot and William Meynard

 

Together with his teammates, Manaudou won the silver medal after finishing second at the Men’s 4x100m freestyle relay. This is France’s first medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

 

 

3. Ning Zetao (China)

Ning has been creating quite an uproar on social media in his home country for some time. When international media started picking up the story, though… Well, let’s just say that things have been going wild!

 

 

GYMNASTICS

 

1. Samuel Mikulak (U.S.A.)  

Mikulak (right) with fellow American gymnast Chris Brooks

 

Mikulak already made headlines prior to the Olympics, thanks to his patriotic haircut. After last Saturday, he started buzzing again after getting the highest score during men’s gymnastics qualification and helping his team reach second place!

 

2. Max Whitlock (Great Britain)

Whitlock, who is Great Britain’s leading gymnast, is a champ on and off the floor; he was the face of Paul Smith’s campaign in 2015.

 

3. Arthur Mariano (Brazil)  

A photo posted by Arthur Nory (@arthurnory) on

 

Like Ning Zetao, Mariano has become internet famous overnight. Thankfully, thatt didn’t distract him from helping his teammates qualify for the finals!

 

 

TRACK & FIELD

 

1. Mo Farah

A photo posted by Mo Farah (@gomofarah) on

Everyone’s rooting for nice guy and distant runner Mo Farah, who looks to repeat his success after winning two gold medals four years ago.

 

2. Justin Gatlin (U.S.A.)  

A photo posted by justingatlin (@justingatlin) on

 

The controversial sprinter tested positive for testosterone for doping twice. This year, the world is looking to see if he’s going to redeem himself by winning against Usain Bolt.

 

3. Ashton Eaton (U.S.A.)

A photo posted by Eaton (@weareeaton) on

 

Eaton aims to be the first American to win the men’s decathlon since 1952. He and his wife, Canadian heptathlon athlete and fellow Olympian Brianne Theisen-Eaton, have also been in the news after starring together in an ad for Visa. #Couplegoals, much?

 

 

DIVING  

1. David Boudia (U.S.A.)  


Olympic gold medal winner Boudia has been inspiring people with his success story, which involves falling into and rising from depression.

 

2. Hugo Parisi (Brazil)

A photo posted by Hugo Parisi (@hugoparisi) on

Five-time Olympian Parisi makes a splash both in and out of the Olympics; earlier this year, he was chosen as one of the faces of Chanel’s Allure Homme Sport fragrance.

 

 

3. Yona Knight-Wisdom (Jamaica)  


Knight-Wisdom is Jamaica’s first Olympic diver!

 

 

TENNIS
1. Rafael Nadal

Between the three favorites (Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic), Nadal is the only one that hasn’t experienced loss.

 

2. Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina)  


He’s the guy who shockingly defeated world’s number one Djokovic!

 

 

3. Kei Nishikori (Japan)


Nishikori stole the show last Saturday when he managed to win a point (and later, the whole match) even after dropping his racket mid-game.

 

 

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