As Los Angeles prepares to host the Summer Olympics in 2028, U.S. athletes across a spectrum of sports are emerging as leading contenders. From the pool to the track, courts to mats, and even the debut of men’s and women’s flag football, here’s an inside look at the rising stars primed to shine on home soil.
🏊 Swimming: The Next Generation
Alex and Aaron Shackell (17 & 19)
- Alex Shackell, a 2006-born phenom, helped the U.S. women earn relay silver in Paris after swimming the butterfly leg in prelims. She also posted a top‑six finish in the individual 200m fly at just 17
- Her brother Aaron Shackell, born in 2004, led the 400m freestyle at U.S. Trials and placed eighth in Paris, training under the guidance of legendary coach Bob Bowman
Why they matter: By 2028, Aaron will be 23 and Alex just shy of 22—ideal ages to produce peak Olympic performances in freestyle and butterfly events.
Michael Andrew (20s)
- A multiple national champion with silver medals at 2024 World Aquatics Championships, Andrew is recalibrating his training under a refreshed regimen in Arizona
Outlook: If his trajectory continues upward, he could re-emerge as a medal contender, showing resilience after missing out on Paris qualification.
🏃 Track & Field: Speed, Strength & Stamina
Grant Fisher (26)
- The distance star claimed bronze in both the 5,000m and 10,000m in Paris and set an indoor American 2‑mile record in early 2024
Why to watch: With peak endurance approaching in his late 20s, Fisher is poised to challenge for gold in both distances in Los Angeles.
Noah Lyles (27), Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (27), Sha’Carri Richardson (28)
- Lyles, a dominant force in the sprints, earned world titles in all three events at Budapest 2023 and claimed bronze in the 200m in Tokyo; he’s a clear medal favorite moving forward
- McLaughlin-Levrone became the world-record holder in the 400m hurdles and will anchor multiple U.S. relay squads
- Richardson, rebounding from a setback in Tokyo, earned gold at 2023 Worlds—she and teammates may deliver historic sprint success
Outlook: Entering LA with both experience and peak athleticism, these three are among the leading figures in Team USA’s core track ambitions.
Vernon Turner (26)
- The high jumper claimed the USA Indoor title in 2025 and finished near the top in Olympic finals in 2024 .
Lookout: With sustained form, he’s a strong medal hopeful in LA’s track & field spotlight.
Quincy Wilson (16)
- At just 16, he already broke under-18 world records in the 400m and served as the youngest U.S. relay Olympian ever in Paris
Projection: Blessed with world-class times at a young age, Wilson may anchor back-to-back U.S. sprint teams across future Games.
🤸 Gymnastics: Bridge Between Legends and New Stars
Simone Biles (31)
- Though traditionally concluding her career earlier, Biles has hinted at extending to LA 2028—something seen among elite athletes like Katie Ledecky
Impact: Competing at home would further cement her legacy; if not, the next generation steps into her spotlight.
Hezly Rivera (16)
- One of Paris’s youngest teams, Rivera is a rising star of U.S. gymnastics .
Prospect: A steady presence in 2028’s games, she’s a likely candidate for medals both individually and as part of the team.
🏹 Archery & Fencing: Emerging Precision Powerhouses
Casey Kaufhold (20)
- With mixed-team bronze in Paris and continued youth success, Kaufhold has the potential for individual glory in LA
Forecast: She’ll likely be a veteran medal contender by 2028.
Lauren Scruggs (21)
- Olympic silver medalist in fencing, she’s already the first Black American to medaled individually .
Outlook: At 25 in LA, Scruggs might dominate Team USA’s foil entry.
⚽ Soccer & 🏀 Basketball: Youth Fueled Legacy
Women’s Soccer – Trinity Rodman (22), Sophia Smith (24), Mallory Swanson (26)
- With Paris behind them, these stars represent the next wave of U.S. dominance .
Women’s Basketball – Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart
- Reddit users likened the future roster to a new “Dream Team”—a blend of NCAA and WNBA stars defining the new era of elite U.S. women’s basketball
Note: Clark (24) and Bueckers (23) will be entering prime during LA 28.
🏈 Flag Football’s Olympic Debut
Ashlea Klam (23)
- A star of U.S. women’s flag football, Klam already holds three world championships and is determined to elevate varsity access back home
Why she matters: With flag football to make its Olympic debut in LA, Klam is a leading figure for U.S. gold hopes and advocacy for women’s sports growth.
Darrell Doucette III & Jonathan Owens
- Elite men’s players who fear NFL integration may overshadow flag specialists—but remain training hard for Olympic inclusion
Significance: Their stories highlight tensions and potential in a sport that’s both evolving and expanding in Olympic scope.
🏋️ Weightlifting & Wrestling: Strength Stars Rising
Olivia Reeves (20)
- Gold medalist at Paris in weightlifting, the young phenom sets her mission on continuing podium performances .
Amit Elor (20)
- A world-dominating wrestler who earned gold in Paris and looms as a top pick in her weight class .
Aaron Brooks (24)
- Despite a semifinal setback in Paris, Brooks (2023 world champ) is driven to reclaim wrestling supremacy
🤝 U.S. Olympic Support: Funding the Future
In a landmark move, USOPC received a $100 million donation to support athletes’ post-Olympic financial stability—providing $200,000 per appearance eventually
Implication: Financial peace enables elite athletes to extend careers confidently, directly impacting development ahead of LA.
🔮 Conclusion: A Golden Opportunity Ahead
From teenage trailblazers to seasoned veterans, Team USA’s 2028 squad is forming a powerful mosaic of talent, experience, and innovation:
- The Shackell siblings anchor a future in the pool.
- Fisher, Lyles, McLaughlin-Levrone, Richardson, and Wilson bring speed and endurance in athletics.
- Turner, Kaufhold, Scruggs, and the wrestling and weightlifting stars fortify the roster.
- The potential return of icons like Biles and Ledecky, and pioneers such as Clark and Swanson, bolster medal chances.
- Finally, the Olympic debut of flag football—featuring stars like Klam—adds a fresh, homegrown element to Team USA’s offerings.
The infusion of funding and community support ensures these athletes can train with reduced financial stress, expanding opportunities and elevating performance.
🌟 TL;DR – Athletes to Follow
- Swimming: Alex & Aaron Shackell, Michael Andrew
- Track & Field: Grant Fisher, Noah Lyles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Sha’Carri Richardson, Quincy Wilson, Vernon Turner
- Gymnastics: Simone Biles (possible), Hezly Rivera
- Archery/Fencing: Casey Kaufhold, Lauren Scruggs
- Team Sports: Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson; Top women’s basketball roster (Clark, Bueckers, Wilson, Stewart)
- Flag Football: Ashlea Klam; Doucette & Owens for men’s debut
- Weightlifting/Wrestling: Olivia Reeves, Amit Elor, Aaron Brooks
📅 What’s Next?
- 2026–27: Trials, World Championships, and domestic circuits will set 2028 qualifiers.
- Mid-2025 to 2027: Extended athlete funding becomes available.
- 2028: Trials continue, leading to home-soil Olympics with Team USA poised for dominance.
