Minnesota is wellrepresented on Team USA as the the Tokyo Olympics kick off today.
Driving the news: More than a dozen athletes with ties to the state are set to compete in events ranging from shot put to rifle shooting.
- Ski-U-Mah! The lineup includes11 current or former Gophers.
Why it matters: It's fun to cheer for our hometown heroes as they go for the gold!
What to watch: It turns out we're a gymnastics powerhouse. Minnesota natives Sunisa Lee, Grace McCallum and Shane Wiskus are all competing in the fan-favorite event.
Here are a few more local athletes to keep on your radar:
- Regan Smith of Lakeville will compete in the 100-meter backstroke and the 200-meter butterfly, while GopherBowe Beckeris on the men's relay team.
- Edina grad Jordan Thompson is a star front-row attacker on our top-ranked women's volleyball team.
- Gable Steveson, the Gophers' undefeated heavyweight, isvying to becomeone of the USA wrestling's youngest gold medalists.
- BMX racer Alise Willoughby of St. Cloud is on her third trip to the games. She won silver in 2016.
- Two Hopkins alums— Team USA's Joe Klecker and Liberia's Joseph Fahnbulleh — will compete in the track and field events.
How to watch: The Games air on NBC, channel 11 here in the Twin Cities, and its streaming service, Peacock.
- And keep your eye out for local watch parties and events. Vertical Endeavors, for example, plans to show events featuringShoreview native Kyra Condieat its area climbing gyms.
A full schedule of events available here.