Dear Friends,
Today marks the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympics in Paris. It’s always a wonderful opportunity for countries around the world to showcase their very best athletes in a wide range of events. For the athletes themselves, it is often the high point of their careers, after years of dedication and sacrifice. Competing in the Olympics is the epitome of excellence and whether athletes win medals or not, even participating in the Olympics is an achievement with few comparisons.
Idaho is proud to send ten athletes this year to Paris representing the United States in a variety of sports. These individuals are from Idaho, train in Idaho, or who went to college in Idaho. I hope you will join me in wishing them success and recognizing their achievements.
Emily Sams (25) from Boise is an alternate for U.S. Women’s Soccer Team. She led Centennial High School in Boise to a state runner-up finish in 2013 and was the #3 overall draft pick last year for National Women’s Soccer League.
Chloé Dygert (27) trains in Boise and will compete in Women’s Cycling. This will be her third Olympic appearance after winning a silver in Brazil and bronze in Japan.
Haley Batten (25) trains in Boise and will compete in Women’s Cycling in Mountain Bike. She won her first national title in Sun Valley and is currently ranked 11th in the world.
Airi Miyabe (25) led the College of Southern Idaho to a national championship in 2018 as an outside hitter in volleyball and will be playing for Japan Women’s Volleyball Team as a middle blocker.
Alyssa Mendoza (20) is a Caldwell native and will be on the Women’s Boxing team. She is the first Olympic boxer from Idaho.
Adrienne Lyle is a former Ketchum resident returning for her third Olympic Games in Equestrian Dressage. She led the U.S. Dressage Team to a silver medal in Tokyo in 2021.
Matteo Jorgenson (25) is a Boise High graduate representing us on the U.S. Men’s Cycling Team in Road Race. He just finished 8th in the Tour de France, the best American finish in ten years.
Marisa Howard (31), a BSU alum and assistant coach at Rocky Mountain High School in Meridian, will be running the 3,000-meter steeplechase in Women’s Track and Field. She is the first BSU woman to make a U.S. Olympic track team.
Sam Atkin, a Lewis-Clark State College alum and assistant coach, will be running the 5,000-meter for Men’s Track and Field. This is his second Olympics and the first athlete in his school’s history to go to the Olympics. He will be running for Great Britain, chosen on a discretionary pick.
Chari Hawkins (33), a Rexburg native, will be competing in the Women’s Heptathlon. She took 8th place at the World Championships last year and finished second at last month’s U.S. trials.
Idaho has many qualities that set it apart. From rugged mountains and beautiful vistas to its many rivers and rich forests, Idaho is the envy of many states. But the truest treasure of the Gem State is its people. Let’s cheer on our Idaho athletes together and celebrate their success!
