With the grand sporting carnival upon us, the United States are set to send the second-largest team in its history to compete at the Tokyo Olympics this month, with the female contingent making up more than half of the delegation, according to the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) said Tuesday.
In a statement, the USOPC said that 613 athletes would take part in the Olympics, which open in Tokyo on July 23 after a one-year postponement owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2021 team includes 329 women, the third Summer Olympics in a row that female athletes have outnumbered their male counterparts.
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The current contingent is only outdone by only the 648-member 1996 US Olympic team — when the Games were staged on home soil in Atlanta.
“Team USA is ready. Our roster includes 613 remarkable athletes, one of our biggest teams ever, all who qualified to participate in these Games,” said USOPC chief executive Sarah Hirshland, according to AFP inputs.
“In these extraordinary times, these athletes have shown perseverance, dedication and focus and have inspired us all. We are thrilled to support them as they live their dreams of competing on the biggest stage in sport.”
The star-studded team includes 193 returning Olympians, including one seven-time Olympian — equestrian’s Phillip Dutton — and eight five-time Olympians.
Fifteen athletes are competing in their fourth Olympics while 39 are participating in their third Games.
Multiple Olympic medallists spearheading the US challenge include track and field star Allyson Felix (nine medals), swimmer Allison Schmitt (eight), swimmer Katie Ledecky (six) and gymnast Simone Biles (five).
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“The journey to be a part of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team was like no other,” said Rick Adams, USOPC chief of sport performance.
“This team is special; these Games are special. The commitment from Team USA athletes and the National Governing Bodies never wavered, and for that we are grateful.”