PARIS, France — The best athletes in the world are getting ready to go for the gold at the Paris Olympics this summer, and several competitors with Minnesota connections will be among them.
Some athletes have already qualified for the games through international competitions and rankings, while the U.S. Olympic Trials will determine who qualifies in other major events. For instance, the U.S. Swimming Trials from June 15-23 will determine which races could feature Lakeville’s Regan Smith; while St. Paul’s Suni Lee will look to secure a spot with Team USA in Paris at the U.S. Gymnastics Trials from June 27-30 here in Minneapolis.
Below, check out the list of athletes with Minnesota connections who have qualified for the Paris Olympics so far; we’ll update this list as more athletes qualify!
TEAM USA
Sarah Bacon
- SCHOOL: University of Minnesota
- EVENT: Diving
- Team USA profile
Sarah Bacon, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota is a 10-time All-American and the most decorated female champion in Minnesota history with five NCAA titles, three on the 1-meter (2018, '19, '21) and two on the 3-meter (2021, '22). Bacon qualified for the women's 3-meter springboard synchronized dive with partner Kassidy Cook. It's the first time Bacon's qualified for the games after just missing a spot on the 2020 team.
Molly Bruggeman
- SCHOOL: University of Minnesota
- EVENT: Rowing
- Team USA profile
Originally from Ohio and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Molly Bruggeman is a former assistant rowing coach at the University of Minnesota. She won a gold (2018) and silver medal (2016) at the world championships.
Chase Budinger
- MN CONNECTION: Former Minnesota Timberwolves player
- EVENT: Beach volleyball
- USA Volleyball profile
A California native, the 6'7" Budinger played three seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2012 to 2015. He'll play in his first Olympics teamed up with Miles Evans.
Napheesa Collier
- MN CONNECTION: Minnesota Lynx
- EVENT: Women's basketball
- Team USA profile
The Minnesota Lynx All-Star and former Rookie of the Year is looking to add to her trophy case; she previously brought home Olympic gold with Team USA in Tokyo.
Lara Dallman-Weiss
- HOMETOWN: Shoreview, MN
- EVENT: Sailing
- Team USA profile
Shoreview native Lara Dallman-Weiss returns for her second Olympic games in sailing, after placing 12th in Tokyo in 2021. Dallman-Weiss won bronze in women’s match racing at the 2014 World Championships.
Anthony Edwards
- MN CONNECTION: Minnesota Timberwolves
- EVENT: Men’s Basketball
- Team USA profile
He may have been born in raised in Georgia, but we’re still claiming Ant as one of our own. The number one overall draft pick and two-time NBA All-Star for the Minnesota Timberwolves will join a talented roster of superstars for Team USA in men’s basketball at the Paris Olympics.
Sunisa Lee
- HOMETOWN: St. Paul, MN
- EVENT: Artistic gymnastics
- Team USA profile
Lee, who has been battling a series of health issues since the last Olympics, finished second in the all-around at the Olympics trials. She's now looking to defend her Tokyo Olympics all-around gold medal title in Paris.
Dakotah Lindwurm
- HOMETOWN: St. Francis, MN
- EVENT: Marathon
- Team USA profile
St. Francis native Dakotah Lindwurm is a two-time winner of Grandma’s Marathon, who qualified for the Paris games after finishing third at the U.S. Marathon Team Trials earlier this year.
Payton Otterdahl
- HOMETOWN: Rosemount, MN
- EVENT: Track and Field - Shot Put
- Team USA profile
North Dakota State University standout and two-time national champion Payton Otterdahl is going back to the Summer Games after placing third at the U.S. Olympic Trials and securing his spot on Team USA for the 2024 Paris Games. This is Otterdahl's second Olympics appearance, ultimately placing 10th in the shot put event at the games in Tokyo.
Mary Theisen-Lappen
- SCHOOL: Winona State University
- EVENT: Weightlifting
- Olympics.com profile
A native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Theisen-Lappen started her Olympic journey in track and field for Winona State University and later Indiana State University. She moved into coaching track before deciding to give weightlifting a try at age 27.
Regan Smith
- HOMETOWN: Lakeville, MN
- EVENT: Swimming
- Team USA profile
Smith is going back to the Olympics for a second time after setting a world record in the women's 100-meter backstroke at the U.S. swimming trials. She also qualified for the 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter backstroke and 4x100-meter medley relay team.
Jordan Thompson
- HOMETOWN: Edina, MN
- EVENT: Indoor volleyball
- USA Volleyball profile
At Thompson's second shot at the Olympics, she and her teammates will defend the gold medal title they earned for the first time in program history for the U.S. three years ago in Tokyo.
Matthew Wilkinson
- HOMETOWN: Greenwood, MN
- EVENT: Track and Field - Distance
- University of Minnesota profile
University of Minnesota and Minnetonka High School alum Matt Wilkinson recorded a lifetime-best in the 3000-meter steeplechase during his first season as a professional. In his time at the U of M, Wilkinson set the second-fastest times in the steeplechase and 5000 meters in program history. Wilkinson placed second at this year's U.S. Olympic Trials, qualifying for this year's Summer Games.
Alise Willoughby
- HOMETOWN: St. Cloud, MN
- EVENT: BMX Cycling
- Team USA profile
Alise (Post) Willoughby is back for her fourth Olympic games, after competing in BMX in 2012, 2016 and 2021. The St. Cloud native won silver at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and has a collection of eight medals from the BMX World Championships dating back to 2010.
Shane Wiskus
- HOMETOWN: Spring Park, MN
- EVENT: Artistic gymnastics
- Team USA profile
Wiskus, a member of the 2020 Olympic team, was selected to represent the U.S. again, but this time as an alternate.
OTHER COUNTRIES
Alasan Ann
- HOMETOWN: Maple Grove
- EVENT: Taekwondo
- REPRESENTING: The Gambia
A former Minnesota state champion from Maple Grove, Alasan Ann chose to compete for his father's native The Gambia, becoming the first Gambian to qualify for Olympic taekwondo. His journey to Paris is even more inspiring when you learn he overcame an injury when he was shot in the leg in Minneapolis just months before Olympics qualifying.
Michael Boxall
- MINNESOTA CONNECTION: Defender for the Minnesota United
- EVENT: Soccer
- REPRESENTING: New Zealand
Michael Boxall will join New Zealand for his third appearance in the Olympic Games after competing in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
The 35-year-old center back has made over 70 appearances for New Zealand across both youth and senior team competitions.
Bridget Carleton
- MINNESOTA CONNECTION: Guard for the Minnesota Lynx
- EVENT: Basketball
- REPRESENTING: Canada
Bridget Carleton is in the midst of a career year with the Minnesota Lynx and says she's poised to help lead Team Canada to its first-ever Olympic medal this year in Paris. This will be her second time at the Olympics after competing with Canada at the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo.
Denisha Cartwright
- SCHOOL: Minnesota State University, Mankato
- EVENT: Track & field
- REPRESENTING: Bahamas
Cartwright finished third in the 100-meter hurdles at the Bahamas Olympic Trials, earning her a spot on the country's Olympic team. Cartwright is the first-ever women's track and field alum from MSU to qualify for the Summer Olympics.
Alanna Smith
- MINNESOTA CONNECTION: Forward for the Minnesota Lynx
- EVENT: Basketball
- REPRESENTING: Australia
Alanna Smith will make her second appearance at the Olympic Games, playing with the 2024 Seven Consulting Australian Opals team next month in Paris.
Going into the games as a standout for the Lynx, Smith currently averages career-highs in all categories and ranks second in the WNBA for three-point shooting.