Get To Know This Tampa Bay Olympian
There is a Tampa Bay Olympian that we would like you to know about. The summer Olympics will be in Paris starting up on Friday, July 26. Tampa Bay’s Parker Valby will be participating in events at the summer Olympics this year. Parker Valby is from Tampa Bay and attended East Lake High School in Tarpon Springs. She additionally went to the University of Florida where she was a track star for the Gators. She got five national championships during her time during the indoor and outdoor seasons.
Now she will be a Tampa Bay Olympian representing the United States in Paris this summer. She will be running in the 10,000 meters and also the 5000 meters. Parker’s dad, Kyle, told ABC Action News, “Whether it’s growing up in Tampa Bay, whether it’s going to school in the state of Florida, whether it’s representing the United States of America. Parker’s up to the task. She continues to drive and use her discipline to achieve the greatness that she has.”
There Are Many Tampa Bay Olympians
14 Tampa Bay athletes will be participating in the summer Olympics in Paris this summer. Including Clearwater’s Bobby Finke, who won two gold medals in the 2020 Olympics. Additionally, there is Nelly Korda, who calls Bradenton home. She won a gold medal in golf at the 2020 Olympics.
The Paris Olympics will get started on Friday, July 26 and will end on August 11. This is the third time the city of Paris is hosting the Olympics. New sports this year include skateboarding, surfing, sport climbing, and breaking. There is an interesting event happening this year where athletes will be swimming in the Seine River. Paris is trying to show their commitment to water quality improvement and that is the reason for that event.
14 Athletes From The Tampa Bay Area Competing At The Olympics
Noah Lyons
This will be Noah’s first Olympic appearance. He’s competing in the sailing competition. Noah is also from Clearwater, FL and graduated from USF with a degree in Microbiology. Noah has been sailing since he was 6 years old and won 1st in the US National Championship in 2023.
Danielle Collins
Danielle is from St. Pete! She will be competing in the tennis games. She was a 2022 Australian Open Finalist, and 2022 French Open Quarterfinalist.
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 25: Danielle Collins of Team United States looks on during a tennis training session at Roland-Garros ahead of the Paris Olympic Games at Roland Garros on July 25, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Austin Krajicek
Austin Krajicek is from Brandon and trained at the IMG academy! This is his second Olympic appearance and will be competing in the tennis competition!
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – MARCH 01: Austin Krajicek of the United States celebrates victory with partner Ivan Dodig of Croatia over Yuki Bhambri of India and Robin Haase of the Netherlands in their men’s doubles semifinal match during the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on March 01, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Christopher Pike/Getty Images)
Parker Valby
Parker Valby is from Tampa and went to East Lake High School. This will be her first time competing in the Olympics!
EUGENE, OREGON – JUNE 29: Parker Valby competes in the women’s 10,000 meter final on Day Nine of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials at Hayward Field on June 29, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Monae' Nichols
This will be Monae’s first Olympic appearance! The Lakeland native will be competing in the track and field competition!
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 03: Silver medalist Monae’ Nichols of Team United States poses for a photo after the Woman’s Long Jump Final on Day Three of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 2024 at Emirates Arena on March 03, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
