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 currently an 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.
Kassidy Cook
- SCHOOL: University of Minnesota
- EVENT: Diving
- Team USA profile
Kassidy Cook is one-half of the winning duo that competed in the women's 3-meter springboard synchronized dive at the world championships. A U of M standout like her partner Sarah Bacon, Cook competed at the 2016 Summer Games, taking 15th in the 3-meter springboard event.
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.
Dakota Lindwurm
- HOMETOWN: St. Francis, MN
- EVENT: Marathon
- Team USA profile
St. Francis native Dakota 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.
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.
OTHER COUNTRIES
Alasan Ann
- HOMETOWN: Maple Grove
- EVENT: Taekwondo
- REPRESENTING: Gambia
A former Minnesota state champion from Maple Grove, Alasan Ann chose to compete for his father's native 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.