For 17 days in July and August, all eyes will be on Tokyo, Japan, the site of the 2020 Summer Games. July 23 – August 8, 2021, over 11,000 athletes from all over the world, and more than a few from Minnesota, will convene in the metropolitan Japan city to compete in 33 sports.
Athletes representing 206 nations will attend the Games, and approximately 600 competitors will make up the U.S. team. Since Minnesotans tend to be pretty familiar with playing outdoors during summer months, and the sports they inspire, it’s no wonder that more than a dozen athletes from the North Star State are seriously vying for a chance to compete on the world’s stage.
Here’s a quick look at some of these local summer sports stars. Although all U.S. Olympic athletes have to go through thorough COVID testing, these are some of the faces you may see in Tokyo- running on the track, in the pool swimming, and receiving medals on the podium!
BOWE BECKER, SWIMMING
- School: University of Minnesota
KYRA CONDIE, SPORT CLIMBING
- Age: 25
- Hometown: St. Paul
- School: University of Minnesota
LARA DALLMAN-WEISS, SAILING
- Age: 32
- Hometown: Shoreview
ASON FERLIC, TRACK & FIELD
- Age: 27
- Hometown: St. Paul
JOE KLECKER, TRACK & FIELD
- Age: 24
- Hometown: Minneapolis
SUNISA LEE, GYMNASTICS
- Age: 18
- Hometown: St. Paul
GRACE MCCALLUM, GYMNASTICS
- Age: 18
- Hometown: Isanti
PAYTON OTTERDAHL, TRACK & FIELD
- Age: 25
- Hometown: Rosemount
REGAN SMITH, SWIMMING
- Age: 19
- Hometown: Lakeville
GABLE STEVESON, WRESTLING
- Age: 21
- Hometown: Apple Valley
- School: University of Minnesota
PATRICK SUNDERMAN, RIFLE SHOOTING
- Age: 26
- Hometown: Farmington
JORDAN THOMPSON, VOLLEYBALL
- Age: 24
- Hometown: Edina
ALISE (POST) WILLOUGHBY, BMX RACING
- Age: 30
- Hometown: St. Cloud
SHANE WISKUS, GYMNASTICS
- Age: 22
- Hometown: Spring Park
- School: University of Minnesota
Looking to get your kids involved in the sports?
Here is a list of fun toys that are Olympic themed:
HyperStrike (Zing, $34.99) – The perfect bow and arrow to celebrate Archery in the 2021 Summer Olympics! This 14+ bow and arrow can launch arrows distance of up to 250 feet, thanks to its low profile bungee cords! Simply hook the soft foam Zonic Whistle Arrows into the fast-load bungee loops, pull back, aim and release. Great for team-based competition! Available on Amazon.
PLAYMOBIL Pony Farm (PLAYMOBIL, $45) – For the young equestrian wanna-be, this beautifully detailed set with 194 pieces and a two-level barn encourages young boys or girls to explore and learn while having fun! Available on Amazon.
Birdie Golf (Hog Wild, $40) – The IOC reinstated Golf for the 2016 summer Olympics, and the sport will return during the Tokyo Olympics this summer. This set provides real golf action with a twist- combining golf and admitting. Great for all ages and skill levels indoors or outside! Available on Amazon.
Chuckit! Amphibious Value Pack (PETMATE; $30) – Even furry family members can celebrate Olympic water sports with the Chuckit! Amphibious value pack – all designed to keep your active dog having fun and cooled in the water. Each fetch toy floats high on the water, with a soft surface for safe biting. The lightweight foam core means teeth can’t pop them mid-catch, and they won’t sink. Available on Amazon.
