Here Are The Athletes Part Of ‘Teen’ USA For The 2024 Olympics

It’s a common goal for athletes to have aspirations to one day make it to the Olympics. And for these talented teenagers, they have made this dream a reality.

From Quincy Wilson setting a U18 world record at the track and field Trials, to Hezly Rivera being the youngest female part of the gymnastics team going to Paris, there is an impressive lineup of young athletes set to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games.

Here are those that are part of “Teen” USA.

Quincy Wilson

Age: 16
School: Bullis School
Sport: Track and Field

Quincy Wilson became one of the biggest stars from the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials. He broke a 42-year-old U18 world record in the men’s 400m with his 44.66 time. Then just two days later he beat his own newly set record in the semifinals with 44.59. However, he failed to qualify for the event in the finals, running 44.94 to finish in sixth place. However, his performances were noticed, being selected to be part of the 4×400 team. This makes Wilson the youngest male athlete going to Paris in the sport. Back at Penn Relays in April, Wilson set the high school record running his anchor leg in the relay in 44.37.

Hezley Rivera

Age: 16
School: Connection Academy
Sport: Gymnastics

The New Jersey native is best known for being the 2024 Winter Cup balance beam champion, and bronze all-round and floor exercise medalist. Hezley Rivera’s favorite event is the bars, and at the Olympic Trials, her bars average was 14.069. Her beam average of 13.981 was also impressive enough to make the 16-year-old a smart choice to help Team USA score well at Paris for both bars and beam events. Rivera was the fifth pick for the team, joining teammate Simone Biles.

Thomas Heilman

Age: 17
School: Western Albemarle High School
Sport: Swimming

Thomas Heilman has been making a big wave in swimming since his performances in 2021 where he broke 14 NAGs in the 13-14 age group. Now 17, he broke Michael Phelps’s age group record when he finished in men’s 100 butterfly in second place with a time of 50.80 at the 2024 Swimming Olympic Trials. Heilman also won the 200m butterfly, finishing in 1:54.50 to be the youngest male Olympic swimmer since Phelps, who competed in the Olympics for the first time when he was 15.

Alex Shackell

Age: 17
School: Carmel High School
Sport: Swimming

Alex Shackell had a stellar performance at the women’s 200 butterfly semifinals at the Olympics Trials, breaking the 17-18 girls’ national age group record with her finish time of 2:06.10. However, she finished second to competitors Regan Smith for the finals but it was enough to punch her ticket to Paris and join the teen USA list.

Katie Grimes

Age: 18
School: Undecided
Sport: Swimming

Katie Grimes is no stranger to the Olympics. The 2020 Tokyo Games Olympian finished in fourth place in the women’s 800m freestyle when she was just 15 years old. She holds three silver and one bronze medals in the 2023 World Championships for the 400m individual medley, 1500m freestyle, and 400m, and the 10km freestyle. She won the women’s 10k at the 2024 Open Water National & Junior National Championship with a time of 1:58:18. Grimes won the 400m IM final to earn her spot in the 2024 Paris Games.

Aaron Shackell

Age: 19

Sport: Swimming

Aaron Shackell qualified for Team USA when he placed first in the 400m freestyle. He joins his sister Alex on “Teen USA,” proving both brother and sister are talented swimmers. Shackell became the first American to qualify for Paris with his 3:45.46 win.