Forty-six states have sent their elite athletes to the Summer Olympics this year. Some of these athletes are from well-known, populated cities while others have emerged from quiet, small towns they call home. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee doesn’t just itemize athletes from their hometowns but also ensures advancement opportunities, excellence, and community growth to create a more powerful future.
Whether an athlete is in a bustling or rural environment, they require support and empowerment. While as a viewer, you see the culmination of an athlete’s efforts, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to ensure they’re primed and ready to perform. Some of these critical areas that aid in an athlete’s performance include mental health and financial stability.
This year, athletes are facing extreme heat in Paris. Those from hot and humid environments have had an advantage considering they regularly train under these conditions. However, those who are unaccustomed to heatwaves have had to get creative with their training. Although an athlete may represent their hometown, part of training may have required them to temporarily move somewhere warmer to build up their endurance under extreme heat.
Though athletes are from different parts of the country, they all represent Team USA. Some are teenagers like Quincy Wilson, who is only 16 and competing in track and field. Some have decades of experience under their belts like equestrian Steffen Peters, who is 59 and competing in the Olympics for the sixth time. Either way, they’re all making their hometowns proud. (Here are some of the biggest wins in Summer Olympic history.)
Methodology
To determine the cities sending the most athletes to the 2024 Olympics, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on the official 2024 U.S. Olympic Team roster from the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Cities were ranked based on the number of athletes competing in the 2024 Olympics who recognize a given city as their hometown.
28. Phoenix, AZ
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 3
- Popular sports represented: Track and Field, Gymnastics, Cycling
27. Indianapolis, IN
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 3
- Popular sports represented: Track and Field, Sport Climbing, Diving
26. Denver, CO
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 3
- Popular sports represented: Basketball (3×3), Swimming, Golf
25. Tampa, FL
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 3
- Popular sports represented: Track and Field, Cycling (Mountain Bike)
24. New Orleans, LA
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 3
- Popular sports represented: Track and Field, Beach Volleyball
23. Honolulu, HI
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 3
- Popular sports represented: Volleyball, Surfing
22. Cincinnati, OH
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 3
- Popular sports represented: Volleyball, Soccer, Rowing
21. Reno, NV
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 3
- Popular sports represented: BMX (Freestyle), Swimming, Rugby
20. Huntington Beach, CA
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 3
- Popular sports represented: Volleyball, Soccer, Diving
19. Oceanside, CA
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 3
- Popular sports represented: Volleyball, Surfing, Skateboarding
18. Boulder, CO
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 3
- Popular sports represented: Cycling, Triathlon, Track and Field, Sport Climbing
17. Santa Cruz, CA
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 3
- Popular sports represented: Volleyball, Track and Field, Sport Climbing
16. Sarasota, FL
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 3
- Popular sports represented: Swimming, Rowing, Cycling (Mountain Bike)
15. Dallas, TX
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 4
- Popular sports represented: Track and Field, Swimming, Rowing
14. Colorado Springs, CO
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 4
- Popular sports represented: Basketball (3×3), Wrestling, Volleyball
13. Carmel, IN
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 4
- Popular sports represented: Swimming, Tennis
12. Newport Beach, CA
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 4
- Popular sports represented: Water Polo, Soccer, Badminton
11. Marietta, GA
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 4
- Popular sports represented: Basketball (3×3), Track and Field, Soccer
10. San Jose, CA
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 5
- Popular sports represented: Badminton, Water Polo, Volleyball
9. Charlotte, NC
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 5
- Popular sports represented: Track and Field, Basketball (3×3), Rugby
8. Las Vegas, NV
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 5
- Popular sports represented: Swimming, Track and Field, Badminton
7. Long Beach, CA
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 5
- Popular sports represented: Water Polo, Track and Field
6. Chicago, IL
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 6
- Popular sports represented: Wrestling, Track and Field, Basketball (5×5)
5. Atlanta, GA
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 6
- Popular sports represented: Track and Field, Soccer, Tennis
4. Miami, FL
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 6
- Popular sports represented: Sailing, Water Polo, Track and Field
3. Los Angeles, CA
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 8
- Popular sports represented: Artistic Swimming, Water Polo, Basketball (3×3)
2. Houston, TX
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 10
- Popular sports represented: Track and Field, Rugby, Breaking
1. San Diego, CA
- 2024 Olympic athlete count: 11
- Popular sports represented: Rugby, Archery, Track and Field