The Summer Olympic Games begin this week after a long wait following last year's pandemic deferral. Four local athletes are in Tokyo ahead of the Games' commencement to represent the United States with the world's other greatest athletes. While they're representing the U.S. in competition, these talented competitors are also representing Sarasota and distinguished local training facilities. It's not the first time that Sarasota athletes have risen to the highest level of the sport. With a climate conducive to year-round training, Sarasota is a haven for elite athletic performers and academies like Nathan Benderson Park, Selby Aquatic Center, and IMG Academy.
The Sarasota athletes competing in this year's games are:
Jake Ilardi (skateboarding)
Emma Weyant (swimming)
Mary Tucker (rifle shooting)
Clark Dean (rowing)
Read more about the Sarasota athletes here. The Summer Games will be July 23rd through August 8th with more than 7,000 hours of coverage broadcast and streamed on NBC and affiliate platforms.