A list of athletes fans should follow on social media ahead of the Olympics:
Kieran Behan @KieranBehanIRL • Twitter, Ireland Gymnastics
The Ireland gymnast was told he could never walk, let alone compete again after a botched surgery to remove a tumor in his leg when he was 10 years old. Now 27, Behan competed in the 2012 London Olympics and will compete again in Rio.
Simone Biles @Simone_Biles • Twitter, USA Gymnastics
Standing at only 4-foot-8, the 19-yearold gymnast is dominating the gymnastics circuit and just recently won her fourth consecutive U.S. all-around title over U.S. teammate Aly Raisman, a double gold medalist at the 2012 Games. While an elite athlete, Biles still knows how to have fun on social media, posting pictures of her and her friends going to concerts and late night frozen yogurt runs.
Carlin Isles
@Carlin_Isles • Twitter, USA Rugby Sevens
Isles, referred to by many as the world’s fastest rugby player, will be a member on the inaugural USA Rugby Sevens team in Rio. Rugby 7s is a new sport at the 2016 Olympics. The Detroit Lions signed Isles to their practice squad in 2013, but he chose to leave in February 2014 to play rugby for the Glasgow Warriors.
Caroline Buchanan @CBuchanan68 • Twitter, Australia BMX
A six-time BMX and Mountain Bike World Champion, Buchanan is taking her talents to her second Olympics after being a 2012 Olympic finalist. Buchanan had a half an hour TV show made about her journey to Rio that has been airing on FOX Sports in Australia. On social media, Buchanan shares her journey to Rio through pictures and videos. She’s also
an avid French bulldog lover.
Jordan Burroughs @alliseeisgold • Twitter, USA Wrestling
Burroughs, a 2012 Olympic Champion, looks to be the favorite headed into Rio in the 74kg/163 lbs. division. Not only is the four-time World Champion a star on the mat, but also his charismatic personality off the mat has made him a fan favorite. He has two children and shares pictures of them both regularly.
Bubba Watson @bubbawatson • Twitter, USA Golf
With golf making its return to the Olympics after a 112-year hiatus, Watson is “100 percent committed” to going to Rio unlike a handful of other golfers who have shown concerns or withdrawn their names completely. One of the top golfers in the U.S., Watson has a large social media presence and often uses it to share pictures of his wife and their two adopted children.
Bob Bryan @Bryanbros • Twitter, USA Tennis
Bob will look to defend his 2012 gold medal in Rio with his brother, Mike. Rio looks to be the last Olympics for the pair who compete in men’s doubles. On social media, Bob often features his three kids on and off the tennis court.
Stephen Lambdin @stephenlambdin • Twitter, USA Taekwondo
Lambdin will compete in his first Olympics after earning the silver in the Pan American Olympic Qualification Tournament. On social media, Lambdin has been doing a countdown to Rio complete with customized photos. Lambdin once got asked for an autograph on the plane. The kid thought he was Kevin Love.
Daniel Goodfellow @danngoodfellow • Twitter, Great Britain Dive
Goodfellow is competing in his first Olympics this summer and will be competing alongside Tom Daley in the men’s 10m synchronized diving event. His Twitter feed is often filled with videos and pictures of him and his teammates training in the pool.
Domantas Sabonis @Dsabonis11 • Twitter, Lithuania Basketball
The Gonzaga star was chosen 11th in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic then subsequently traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The NBA rookie will be missing summer league and instead be playing in his first Olympics for the Lithuania basketball team. On social media, Sabonis took his followers behind the scenes for the NBA Draft and looks to be starting to do so for the Olympics.
Dustin Watten @DustinWatten • Twitter, USA Volleyball
Watten helped the U.S. Men team win the 2015 FIVB World Cup and also qualify for the 2016 Olympics. Known for his beard, Watten is going to his first Olympics.
Katie Taylor @KatieTaylor • Twitter, Ireland Boxing
Credited for raising the profile of women’s boxing in Ireland, Taylor has become an icon in the world of boxing and was the flag holder for Ireland in the 2012 London Olympic opening ceremony. On social media, Taylor is known as outspoken recently openly questioning golfers who are choosing to skip the 2016 Olympics.
English Gardner @UgHLyDuCkLiN • Twitter, USA Track and Field
South Jersey native English Gardner is one of track and field’s biggest personalities. While last year Gardner finished seventh in the Olympic trials, this year she won the 100m at U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials. Gardner is very outspoken both in person and on social media. She claims she wants to become “the fastest woman alive.”
Keri-anne Payne @KeriannePayne • Twitter, Great Britain Open Water Swimming
Payne just missed out on earning a medal in her hometown in the 2012 London Olympics, but now is back and looking to compete as one of the two open water swimmers for Great Britain.
Lisa Darmanin @Lisa_Darmanin • Twitter, Australia Sailing
Darmanin has her eyes set on earning the gold in the 2016 Olympics as stated in her Twitter bio. As well as sharing her Olympic journey on social media, Darmanin also writes a blog for the Australia Olympic Team in which she talks about her time preparing for the Olympics.
Edwina Tops-Alexander @EdwinaAlexander • Twitter, Australia Showjumping
Sponsored by Gucci and JaegerLeCoultre, Tops-Alexander is both one of the most successful showjumpers in the world as well as a fashion icon in the sport. Tops-Alexander helped to launch Gucci’s first equestrian line and had a dual passion for horses and fashion design since high school.