9781422273654

The 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo will feature several new names making their Olympic debuts, yet many veterans will prolong their impressive careers there as well. They all go to the Olympics looking for the same thing—to stand on the medal podium wearing a gold medal. Of the hundreds of athletes who will compete in Tokyo, some will be poised to make their marks on the world stage, while others are preparing to build on a legacy forged over multiple Olympic Games. American swimmers like Caeleb Dressel, Katie Ledecky, and Lilly King will look to shine in the water along with other decorated veterans like Sweden’s Sarah Sjöström and Great Britain’s Adam Peaty. Allyson Felix will try to tie Carl Lewis as themost-decorated track and field Olympic athlete in American history. American sprinter Noah Lyles will work to put his first stamp into the Olympic books while other athletes, like World Champion Australian surfer Stephanie Gilmore, could become recognizable names in the five sports making their Olympic debut. Then there are the Japanese athletes looking to win gold in front of their adoring home crowds, including tennis player Naomi Osaka, who defeated Serena Williams in the 2018 U.S. Open final, and gymnast Takeru Kitazono, who could win up to five medals in the Tokyo Games. Among all the venues where various events of the 2020 Summer Games will be held—be it the pool, the track, the archery range, or the golf links—Tokyo will be the climax to the 4-year crescendo fueled by World Cups, Pan American Games, and World Championships. Athletes to Watch introduces you to some new names with great potential and will also remind you of the household name stars destined to be considered among the greatest of Olympians.

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