1. Jordan Burroughs, Wrestling
Dad life.
Kids: A boy β Beacon, 2 β and a baby daughter, Ora Reese.
Dad quote: "There's nothing harder than being a dad."
Why you should watch him in Rio: The New Jersey native won the gold in 2012 and will be looking to win it again β this time as a sleep-deprived dad.
You can follow Jordan and his Olympic journey on Twitter here.
2. Dana Vollmer, Swimming
15 mo ago I never thought I'd be headed to my 3rd Olympic Games! What a ride this past year has been! #lovebeingamom
Kids: A son, Arlen, 1.
Mom quote: "After Arlen, there's not much you can throw at me that I can't handle. This has all just put me in such a happy, joyful place in my life."
Why you should watch her in Rio: She won three gold medals at the 2012 games (bringing her career total to four) and set an Olympic record at the 100-meter butterfly. She'll be looking for more gold in Rio.
You can follow Dana and her Olympic journey on Twitter here.
3. Chaunte Lowe, High Jump
Just in case champions can be grown!!!!
Kids: Daughters Jasmine, 9, and Aurora, 5, and a son, Mario Josiah (known as "MJ"), 2.
Mom quote: "My husband and I work very hard because we spoil our daughters with love, attention and time. Itβs really hard to give the children the attention they need, especially when youβre training hard and trying to fit four years worth of Olympic training into a couple of months.β
Why you should watch her in Rio: Chaunte participated in each of the last three Summer Olympics but has yet to medal. She will be looking to improve on her sixth place finish at the last games.
You can follow Chaunte and her Olympic journey on Twitter here.
4. David Boudia, Diving
Special moment with my girls after qualifying for my 3rd Olympic Games. #mygirlsarebetterthantheOlympics
Kids: A 2-year-old daughter, Dakota.
Dad quote: "This is my job. More than diving my job is to make sure my family is well taken care of."
Why you should watch him in Rio: At the last summer games David became the first American diver to win a gold medal since 2000. He will be looking to win the gold again in Rio.
You can follow David and his Olympic journey on Twitter here.
5. David Plummer, Swimmer
Practicing all his new tricks he learned at swim lessons in the tub. @USASwimming #funnestsport
Kids: Two sons, William, almost 3, and Ricky, a newborn.
Dad quote: βFatherhood is fantastic. Since my son was born I have just tried to streamline everything else in my life so that I can spend as much time with him and my wife as I can."
Why you should watch him in Rio: At the age of 30, David is participating in his first Summer Olympics β four years after failing to make the 2012 team by a heartbreaking 12-hundredths of a second.
You can follow David and his Olympic journey on Twitter here.
6. Carmelo Anthony, Basketball
King jumping in on some conference calls #KidMogul #StayMe7o
Kids: A son, Kiyan, 9.
Dad quote: "Fatherhood has made me see things differently. I now think twice about my actions. Everything I do affects my son."
Why you should watch him in Rio: The New York Knicks' star has been on three Olympic basketball teams, including the last two that won gold medals.
You can follow Carmelo and his Olympic journey on Twitter here.
7. John Nunn, Race Walker
I love this girl more than life itself. She is my everything. I would not be who I am today without being her father
Kids: A daughter, Ella, 12.
Dad quote: "Ella is the mind behind the operation," John says about the cookie company, Ella's Cookie Co., that he runs with his daughter.
Why you should watch him in Rio: A staff sergeant in the U.S. Army, John has appeared in two other Olympic games (2004, 2012). He will be looking for his first medal in Rio.
You can follow John and his Olympic journey on Twitter here.
8. Brittney Reese, Long Jump
My kid will get you right !! ππ
Kids: A son, Alex, 8.
Mom quote: βI home school my son in the morning, go to practice and Iβm also a part-time coach, so Iβm on the go from seven in the morning until six in the evening every day.β
Why you should watch her in Rio: The gold medal winner at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Brittney is going to try to make history as the first female long jumper to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals...ever.
You can follow Brittney and her Olympic journey on Twitter here.
9. Tervel Dlagnev, Wrestling
My little buddy Titus. #daddysboy
Kids: Two sons, Isaiah, 2, and Titus, 1.
Dad quote: "I'm now a two-time Olympian, but Iβm most proud of being a husband and a dad."
Why you should watch him in Rio: He nearly won his first medal at the 2012 Summer games, but lost his bronze medal bout because of an injury.
You can follow Tervel and his Olympic journey on Twitter here.
10. Tony Azevedo, Water Polo
In a yr and 4 months 3 golds, 2 silvers and a premio! Excited for the next 2 years! @sesipolo @USAWP @TotalWaterpolo
Kids: A son Cruz, 3. He and his wife also have a baby on the way.
Dad quote: "One of the ways we get my son to sleep is by saying, 'When you sleep, you grow!'"
Why you should watch him in Rio: The captain of the USA Men's Water Polo Team, he will be appearing in his fifth Olympic games in pursuit of his second medal. His team won the silver in 2008.
You can follow Tony and his Olympic journey on Twitter here.
11. Kerri Walsh Jennings, Beach Volleyball
So proud to be theirs πππ #blessed
Kids: Sons Joseph, 7, and Sundance, 6, and daughter Scout, 3.
Mom quote: βThe balancing act of motherhood and a career, and being a wife, is something that I don't think I'll ever perfect, but I love the challenge of it.β
Why you should watch her in Rio: Kerri and her original partner, Misty May-Treanor, established themselves as beach volleyball legends after winning the gold in each of the last three Olympics. But when Misty retired after the 2012 games, Kerri had to start anew. She enters the Rio Olympics with the biggest challenge of her career β to win the gold with a new partner, April Ross, and to do it as one of the older players on the beach (she's 37).
You can follow Kerri and her Olympic journey on Twitter here.
