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Maryland steals the spotlight in the Olympics by producing various great athletes. The state is known for enchanting and reputed history in various sport activities at National and International levels. There is a wide-ranging list of top Olympians from Maryland, securing more gold medals than many countries in the world.
Maryland is all set to participate with 24 athletes in the Olympics this year (2024) along with top five States including California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
From Swimmers to basketball and wrestling, Maryland’s athletes made their name prominent in the best athletes of the world. In this article, we will celebrate some top Olympians from Maryland and their contribution to the world’s sport.
Let’s explore the achievements of top Olympians from Maryland and their Olympic medal victories. In this article, we will highlight the inspiring journeys of the some famous athletes from Maryland.
Kevin Durant
Kavin Durant was born and raised in Suitland, Maryland and started playing basketball with his college team. He showcased many record-breaking performances in Men’s Olympics Basketball history as a member of Team USA. His resounding triumphs made him among the top Olympians from Maryland and the most loved basketball players of his generation.
He was awarded with three gold medals in the Olympics and was one of the record-breaking scorers in Olympic history. Kavin is in the top 75 NBA players of all time,as he twice secured the title of Golden State Warrior. He is all set to participate again in Men’s Olympics Basketball 2024 in Paris.
Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps is another celebrated and honored swimmer from Baltimore, Maryland, winning 28 medals in the Olympics. His Olympic medals include 23 gold along with 3 silver and 2 bronze.
He became the single contestant to gather eight medals in a single tournament of 2008 Games in Beijing. He also owns 82 medals in his international competitions and is a most prominent and celebrated swimmer in the world.
He retired many times during his career to take a break for his family and physical and mental health. But, every time he came back to achieve remarkable wins, reaching five Olympics records and becoming one of the top Olympians from Maryland.
Katie Ledecky
Katie Ledecky is a well-known swimmer, reared in the neighborhood of Bethesda, Maryland. However, she was born in Sibley Memorial Hospital, Washington, DC. She marked her name in the rank of top Olympians from Maryland and in the sports history by accomplishing the milestone of becoming the first American Female Swimmer to win 8 gold and 13 overall Olympic medals.
With 26 world champion medals, Katie is one of the best female long racers and a leading freestyle swimmer. She unveiled a stellar performance at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games, collecting four gold and one silver medal and setting exceptional world records.
Starting her international swimming career, she was the youngest participant and winner of 800-meter freestyle race in 2012 London Games. Her journey kicked off with much success and is still progressing smoothly. She decided to join the 2024 summer Olympics to train herself for the competitions later this year.
Phoebe Bacon
Phoebe opened eyes in Chevy Chase on 12 August 2002, Maryland. She was passionate about participating in the Olympics at a young age, but, not lucky enough to collect gold.
However, in the 2018 Junior Pan Pacific Championship, she managed to win four gold medals. She hit another striking win of a gold medal at the 2019 Pan American Games and holds various titles at global level.
Kyle Snyder
Kyle Snyder is a famous American freestyle wrestler, native to Woodbine, Maryland. Along with his two Olympic medals in 97 kg weight-range, he is the only wrestler to attain NCAA, Olympic, and World championship in one year.
At his debut Olympic competition in 2016 Rio Games, he got the crown of getting a gold medal. Adding more to this, he secured a silver to his award list after five years at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Another accomplishment of Kyle Snyder includes the title of youngest Olympic wrestling history in the United States. Moreover, he amassed various medals, getting the crown of Team USA Male Olympic Athlete of the year in 2015.
Dominique Dawes
Dominique Dawes is the three-times Olympic Gymnast and a gold medalist (total four Olympic medals). She was born and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland and graduated from the University of Maryland. She is the sole African-American Female Gymnast Olympic gold winner.
Dominique is a true role model of women empowerment, dedicated mentorship, and gender equality. She built the foundation of many gyms and Dominique Dawes Gymnastics and Ninja Academy to encourage women athletes interested in gymnastics.
In addition to her successful career in gymnastics, she is motivated to help young girls and women overcome mental and physical problems. She has taken part as a brand ambassador of many non-profitable organizations to promote substantial livelihood.
She was honored to interview the first lady, as an active member of the President and First Lady’s U.S Olympic Delegation and “Magnificent seven”.
Jessica Long
Jessica Long is among the most illustrious athletes from the state of Maryland. Her birth place is Russia, but later she was adopted by American parents and started living in Baltimore, Maryland with her step-parents. She was not only engaged in swimming, but took great interest in gymnastics and other sport activities.
Jessica, a 13-times paralympic champion in swimming, was born with Fibular Hemimelia and learned to live and walk with prostheses. She started swimming at a very young age despite the disability of legs, imagining she is a mermaid.
Moreover, she has secured 50 World Champion medals including 29 Paralympic medals (16 gold, 8 silver, and 5 bronze). In addition, Jessica three-times won the ESPY award for “Best Female Athlete with a Disability ”. Besides, she earned the title of two-times Disable Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World Magazine. Her name will always shine in the list of top Olympians from Maryland for making an unmatchable contribution in sports.
Helen Maroulis
Helen Maroulis, trained in Maryland Wrestling Club, started her career as a professional athlete by seeking motivation from her brother. She grew up in Rockville, Maryland and the only Female wrestler to touch the heights of success at International levels.
She is the sole female wrestler to catch a gold and bronze medal in the Olympics. Surprisingly, she brought significant changes in the realm of wrestling in Maryland with her determination and passion, making space for women in this man-dominant sport.
Helen is the first female athlete from Maryland to win an Olympic Gold Medal in Wrestling in 2016 Rio de Janeiro. In addition, she made her State Maryland proud by marking success as seven times U.S Open Champion. Apart from this, she gained recognition as World Champion, Russian Open Club Champion, four-times WCWA Women’s College National Champion, and Pan American Champion.
Aaron Russel
Born in Ellicott City, Maryland, Aaron Russel developed the skills and passion in volleyball at a very young age. He is another famous athlete from Maryland to bring a bronze medal in the Olympics with the U.S Team. Additionally, he has excellent attacking skills and blocking abilities, making him a renowned player in volleyball.
Furthermore, he played a substantial role in the U.S Team during the FIVB World Cup 2015 and earned a gold medal. He was awarded with various medals and titles during his professional career in volleyball. Now, his fans are waiting for another remarkable win in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Chase Kalisz
A native to Bel Air, Maryland, Chase Kalisz is three-times Olympian from Maryland and two-times medal winner (one gold and one silver). He does not need any introduction when it comes to his professional career as an athlete, as he garnered many distinctions at World Champion level.
He got his training at North Baltimore Aquatic Club under the leadership and guidance of well-known and professional coaches. His magnificent win in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics solidified his name as the best swimmer and top Olympian from Maryland. Undoubtedly, his passion and skills made him an unforgettable name in the swimming world.
