Six Philly athletes that local fans should know — but probably don't
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The Paris Games officially get underway today
The Summer Olympics officially kick off in Paris Friday with the Opening Ceremony. You won’t get to see any Philly athletes compete today, but you will get to see them walk with their respective countries. For a full list of athletes with local ties, take a look at our Olympics tracker, which is linked on the final slide. With it, you can follow the schedules of every Philly-area athlete in the Games — whether they're from here, went to college here, or train here — and see the updated medal counts. Here's a look at some names you should get to know ...
Ashley Sessa, field hockey
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Sessa, 20, is one of several locals on the U.S. women’s field hockey team, and the youngest. The team is returning to the Olympics for the first time since finishing fifth in 2016 and is looking to medal for the first time since 1984.
Ashley Sessa, field hockey
Sessa, 20, is one of several locals on the U.S. women’s field hockey team, and the youngest. The team is returning to the Olympics for the first time since finishing fifth in 2016 and is looking to medal for the first time since 1984.
Matt Fallon, swimming
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Some fans might know Matt Fallon as one of the best swimmers in the world at the 200-meter breaststroke, breaking the American record at Olympic Trials. He’s also the first Olympic swimmer to represent the University of Pennsylvania.
Matt Fallon, swimming
Some fans might know Matt Fallon as one of the best swimmers in the world at the 200-meter breaststroke, breaking the American record at Olympic Trials. He’s also the first Olympic swimmer to represent the University of Pennsylvania.
Ariana Ramsey, rugby sevens
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Upper Merion grad Ariana Ramsey didn’t start playing rugby until she was in high school. Now she’s competing in her second Olympics after spending her college career at Dartmouth — where she won a pair of national titles.
Ariana Ramsey, rugby sevens
Upper Merion grad Ariana Ramsey didn’t start playing rugby until she was in high school. Now she’s competing in her second Olympics after spending her college career at Dartmouth — where she won a pair of national titles.
Nick Mead and Justin Best
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Nick Mead, a Strafford native, and Justin Best, a Kennett Square native, are one half of Team USA’s four-man coxless boat. They’ve tried to bring a bit of levity to the sport through Instagram.
Nick Mead and Justin Best
Nick Mead, a Strafford native, and Justin Best, a Kennett Square native, are one half of Team USA’s four-man coxless boat. They’ve tried to bring a bit of levity to the sport through Instagram.
Thelma Davies, track and field
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Some, like Thelma Davies, will compete for other nations. Davies runs the 100- and 200-meters for Liberia, where her parents immigrated from when she was just nine months old. She set records at Girard College before starring at LSU.
Thelma Davies, track and field
Some, like Thelma Davies, will compete for other nations. Davies runs the 100- and 200-meters for Liberia, where her parents immigrated from when she was just nine months old. She set records at Girard College before starring at LSU.
Marching in the Opening Ceremony
All of these local athletes and more — like Joel Embiid and Kahleah Copper – will take part in today’s Opening Ceremony, which begins at 1:30 p.m. (locally) and re-airs at 7:30 p.m.
Marching in the Opening Ceremony
All of these local athletes and more — like Joel Embiid and Kahleah Copper – will take part in today’s Opening Ceremony, which begins at 1:30 p.m. (locally) and re-airs at 7:30 p.m.