Oui, this year’s Games will feature a boatload of Badgers on the river Seine. In track and field, try to catch four-time Olympian Mohammed Ahmed ’14 (a.k.a. Moh Speed) in the 5,000m and 10,000m. He won a silver medal in the shorter event for Team Canada in Tokyo in 2021. Joining Ahmed in the 5,000m will be Morgan McDonald ’19, a two-time Olympian representing Australia. Two other Aussies will go head-to-head in the 1,500m: Adam Spencer ’24, MSx’26 and Olli Hoare ’20. And we hope that the third time’s the golden charm for decathlete Zach Ziemek ’16. Two aces, Lauren Carlini ’17 and Dana Rettke ’21, will make their Olympic debuts on Team USA’s official volleyball roster, and basketball player Aleem Ford ’21 will shoot for gold on Puerto Rico’s behalf. On two different pitches, you’ll find rugby player Alev Kelter ’15 and soccer star Rose Lavelle ’17. In rowing, four women will take up oars for Team USA: Grace Joyce ’20, Lauren O’Connor ’20, Maddie Wanamaker ’17, MS’24, and Sophia Vitas ’16. Returning USA athlete Phoebe Bacon x’25 and New Zealand’s Taiko Torepe-Ormsby x’26 have no need of boats. The former will work to bring home the bacon in the 200m backstroke, and the latter is sure to finish the 50m freestyle in a flash. In diving, incoming freshman Jaden Eikermann Gregorchuk x’28 will aim to make a tiny splash for Team Germany. Bonne chance, Badgers!