Ones to watch: Utahns in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games

Track Town's Hayward Field track and field stadium at the University of Oregon in Eugene, home of the USA Team Trials for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Photo: Michele Roepke // TownLift

PARIS — With 25 days to go until the Opening Ceremony, several athletes with Utah connections will represent America on Team USA at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

CYCLING

Women:

• Haley Batten (grew up in Park City, Mountain Biking)

ATHLETICS

Men:

• Grant Fisher (lives in Park City, 5k and 10k)
• Kenneth Rooks (BYU, Steeplechase)
• Connor Mantz (BYU, Marathon)
• Clayton Young (BYU, grew up in Provo area)

Women:

• Courtney Wayment-Smith (grew up in Salt Lake City area)
• Chari Hawkins (attended USU, Heptathlon)
• Josephine Eriksen (U of U, 4×400 relay race representing Norway)
• Whitnni Morgan (from Panguitch)

CLIMBING

Women:

• Natalia Grossman
• Piper Kelly
• Brooke Raboutou

First-time Olympian Kelly told TownLift, “Home world cups like Salt Lake City are great. I’m really excited to sleep in my own bed for a World Cup.”

Men:

• Colin Duffy (Bouldering and Lead)
• Jesse Grupper 
• Sam Watson (Speed)
• Zach Hammer

Hammer, whose sister also lives in SLC, told TownLift, “The home crowd in Utah is awesome, so many cheers and you get to be home in your own routines.”

First-time Olympian Grupper told TownLift, “Salt Lake is the home of some of the best climbing in the country.” He said he enjoys taking advantage of this as it balances out the outdoor recreation with the indoor competition side of the sport.” He listed the supporters spectating in Paris: “My coach, my partner who also came to watch the SLC World Cup, my sister, my parents, and some other loved ones coming too. I’m very excited!”

Eighteen-year-old Watson told TownLift, “I absolutely love the climbing vibe community here in Salt Lake City, but also not just in the climbing community; everyone here is super supportive of being a competitive athlete.”

The youngster is making not only a name for himself but also for the United States of America, as Salt Lake City is the HQ for USA Climbing. This summer, Watson became the first American to break the world record—twice, in China—by posting a 4.85 and a 4.79. Athletes from Iran and Indonesia previously held those records.

RUGBY

Women:

• Stephanie Rovetti (BYU)
• Alex “Spiff” Sedrick (grew up in SLC, went to Herriman High School)

Men:

• Maka Unufe (Provo)

BASKETBALL

Men:

• Jimmer Fredette (BYU, 3×3 Basketball)

SHOOTING SPORTS

Women:

• Lexi Logan (U of U, Pistol)

SOCCER:

Men:

• Taylor Booth (Eden)

California boasts the most with 132 and Wyoming joins North Dakota in sending zero athletes to these Games.