The 2016 Summer Olympics is heating up, and so are the members of the 2016 men’s Olympic swim team as they prepare to take the plunge in Rio de Janeiro. Whether they’ve been to the Olympics before or this is their first time as a part of Team USA, each and every one of them is proud to be supporting their country at the games. So it makes sense that we should try and get to know them, right?
Michael Phelps
If there’s one U.S. swimmer you may already be familiar with, it’s this guy. Michael Phelps has been taking the Olympic stage since the age of 15 and is now competing in his last Olympics at 31. He’s the current Olympic medal record holder with 22 medals (18 of them gold). However, a lot has changed since Phelps swam in the 2012 London Olympics. In the past four years, Phelps went to rehab for alcoholism and depression but soon got back on his feet. Earlier this year, he and fiancée Nicole Johnson welcomed a son, Boomer Robert Phelps.
Ryan Lochte
One of the swimmers who’s helped Phelps along the way is his biggest competition: Ryan Lochte. Lochte has 11 Olympic medals to his name and also ranks with Phelps as one of the strongest swimmers in U.S. history. However, following the 2012 Olympics in London, Lochte stole America’s heart with his very own E!reality television show, What Would Ryan Lochte Do? and stole the heart of his latest girlfriend, Playboy model Kayla Rae Reid. The four-time Olympian dyed his hair a bluish gray color for the 2016 Games.
Nathan Adrian
Nathan Adrian is no newbie to the U.S. Olympic swim team, either. The 27-year-old swimmer won gold medals in both 2008 and 2012 and hasn’t shied away from the spotlight since. In fact, in preparation for this year’s games, Adrian posed nude for ESPN Magazine and kept himself in the best physical shape by working out and eating healthy. However, this Olympic swimmer does have a girlfriend, so don’t get any ideas.
Conor Dwyer
Conor Dwyer, also a 2012 London gold medalist, rejoins the U.S. men’s swim team in Rio. However, he’s much more than just an accomplished Olympic swimmer. Dwyer comes from a large Chicago-native family that travels with him as he swims his way around the country (and the world). In his free time, Dwyer plays numerous other sports for fun, including ice hockey! Maybe there will be a spot for him at the 2018 Winter Olympics as well.
Caeleb Dressel
But not everyone is on this year’s team is as familiar with the Olympic podium. Caeleb Dressel, a 19-year-old swimmer from the University of Florida, made the U.S. Olympic swim team for the very first time in 2016. Though he’s known for his speed in competitions around the country, the rest of the world hasn’t seen anything yet. Meanwhile, when Dressel’s not swimming, he prefers basically any other non-water sport there is. Soccer was actually his first love.
Anthony Ervin
Yet another familiar face to fans of Olympic swimming is Anthony Ervin. This 35-year-old tattooed swimmer has been competing on Team USA for the past two Summer Olympic Games and is now the oldest member of the team. Ervin, who was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome as a kid, has not only competed at the international level but has also balanced out his life with music, writing a book and giving swim lessons to kids.
Kevin Cordes
For 22-year-old Kevin Cordes, a spot on the U.S. Olympic swim team was a long time coming. Cordes was in the running but ultimately missed out on the 2012 London Olympics, and now he’s finally taking his place among the best swimmers in the country. Fans of Cordes know that he’s known for the breaststroke, but all in all, he’s just happy to be on the team.
Chase Kalisz
Just like all of us, Chase Kalisz is actually a bit of a Michael Phelps fanboy. However, at the age of 22, he’s now swimming alongside fellow Maryland native Phelps in the men’s 400-meter individual medley. With a family full of Olympic-level swimmers behind him as well, Rio is sure to be one incredible event for Kalisz.
Jay Litherland
If you’re not already familiar with the Litherland name, you’re about to be. Swimmer Jay Litherland, 20, made the Olympic team for the first time in 2016 and is the first of his brothers to compete on the international stage — he’s one of three identical triplets! The University of Georgia swimmer beat out Ryan Lochte in the Olympic qualifiers, and now there’s nothing holding him back.
Connor Jaeger
When it comes to long-distance swimming, 25-year-old Connor Jaeger shines. This New Jersey native took on swimming as a kid and continued his training while attending the University of Michigan. After competing in the 2012 London Olympics, Jaeger is ready to take home a medal from his stay in Rio because, as he knows with distance, slow and steady wins the race.
Tom Shields
Swimmers on Team USA come from all over the country, and California native Tom Shields will also be making his Olympic debut in Rio. With a spot lined up in the 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly races, Shields — who got married just recently — is fulfilling his lifelong dream.
Townley Haas
And the U.S. swim team continues to fill up with new talent. Townley Haas, a native of Richmond, Virginia, attended the University of Texas and is taking his spot on the Olympic team after beating his own personal record.
Cody Miller
Cody Miller has been a record holder at national swim meets and is finally heading to the Olympics for the first time. The 24-year-old from Indiana University will be taking on the 100-meter breaststroke with his swim coach fiancée, Ali DeWitt, by his side.
Josh Prenot
University of California swimmer Josh Prenot is also making his Olympic debut at 22 years old. He’s competing in the 200-meter breaststroke and is already set to impress. In fact, Prenot beat the world’s fastest time at the 2016 Olympic trials, meaning that he could very well be coming home with a medal.
David Plummer
Swimming in the men’s 100-meter backstroke will be 30-year-old David Plummer. Despite previously representing the U.S. at the FINA World Championships, this Oklahoma native has just qualified for his first-ever Olympics. With Plummer’s wife and kids cheering him on, it’s sure to be a race to remember.
Jack Conger
At just 21 years old, University of Texas swimmer Jack Conger is also heading to Rio as part of Team USA. When he got involved in his high school swim team, Conger broke a national high school record. He went on to much success in college and is now competing in the Olympics.
Ryan Held
Heading to the Olympics straight out of college might be more common than you’d think. Ryan Held, 21, will be taking on the sprint events at the 2016 Summer Games after his successful races at North Carolina State University.
Ryan Murphy
On the U.S. Olympic team competing in the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke races is another 21-year-old first timer, Ryan Murphy. Murphy swam for the University of California and won medals at several international swim meets.
Jordan Wilimovsky
However, if any of the new U.S. Olympic swimmers stands out, it has to be Jordan Wilimovsky. The 22-year-old is the first U.S. swimmer to ever qualify for both the open water and pool races in the Olympics.
Gunnar Bentz
Gunnar Bentz may be just 20 years old, but his medals earned from multiple World Junior Swimming Championships make his quick transition to the Olympic stage unsurprising. Bentz is heading to Rio to compete in the 800-meter freestyle relay.
James Feigen
James Feigen, 26, is returning to the Olympics after competing at the 2012 London Games. The Hawaiian native didn’t take home a medal then, but now he’s looking to reach the podium with the 400-meter freestyle.
Clark Smith
Clark Smith, 21, is also heading to Rio with a spot in the relay. Smith spent most of his career competing at the Junior level, and this will be his first Olympic Games.
Jacob Pebley
Joining the backstroke races in Rio will also be 22-year-old Jacob Pebley. He won a national title for the 200-meter backstroke in 2015.
Blake Pieroni
Blake Pieroni, 20, found a spot on Team USA by finishing sixth in the 100-meter freestyle at the Olympic trials. He’s currently attending Indiana University, where he’s studying biology and Spanish.
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