The Tokyo Olympics have started (July 23-Aug. 8) and to get you excited about all of the athletic talent competing this year, we’ve put together a list of 6 athletes with Nashville ties to watch this summer.
Check out the schedule, plan your Olympic events in advance + don’t forget the Paralympic Games from Aug. 24–Sept. 5.
🏅Alex Walsh | Swimming
Nashville native Alex is a first-time Olympian competing in the 200 individual medley event. She is a 3-time Pan American Games gold medalist.
🏅Alex Young | Track and field
Alex — who was born in Nashville + attended La Vergne High School — will be competing in the hammer throw event in his first Olympic games.
🏅Tyra Gittens | Swimming
Tyra became the most decorated female track athlete in Tennessee history during her time at Ensworth High School. She will compete for Trinidad and Tobago in the long jump.
🏅Tennys Sandgren | Tennis
As fate would have it, Tennys will represent the US men’s tennis team this year. Tennys was born and raised in Gallatin + went to UTK.
🏅Lily Williams | Track cycling
Although she hails from Tallahassee, Lily attended Vanderbilt University and competed on cross country and track teams in 2012-2016. She is set to make her Olympic debut in track cycling.
🏅Matthias Schwab | Golf
Matthias studied and played golf at Vanderbilt University, where he graduated in 2017. The pro golfer will represent his home country of Austria during the Olympic games.
ProTip: If you don’t have cable + are looking for ways to stream your favorite events, here’s how.