Powerhouse Lineup: Team USA’s Weightlifting Roster Aims High at Paris 2024 Olympics
(July 15, 2023 – BarBend)
With the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris just over two months away, all eyes are on the elite American weightlifters poised to bring home the hardware for Team USA. This year, the U.S. is sending perhaps its most formidable weightlifting squad ever to compete on the global stage.
Headlining the Team
Headlining the team are five athletes who rank among the world’s best in their respective weight classes. From seasoned veterans to rising stars, this group of Olympians is primed to make a serious push for the podium.
Jourdan Delacruz: Seeking Redemption
Jourdan Delacruz, a lightweight lifter, will be seeking redemption after a disappointing “bomb out” at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. However, the 22-time IWF event participant has since made impressive strides, climbing from a 13th-place finish at the 2018 World Championships to a bronze medal in 2023.
Hampton Morris: Record-Breaking Phenom
Joining Delacruz is the record-breaking Hampton Morris, a 20-year-old phenom in the 61kg category. Morris shattered a 50-year U.S. world record earlier this year with a 176kg clean & jerk, establishing himself as a serious contender for silver in Paris.
Wes Kitts: The Veteran Presence
The veteran of the group, 34-year-old Wes Kitts, will compete as a “Continental” representative for the Pan-American region. Despite facing Olympic champions in his weight class, Kitts brings a wealth of experience and three Pan-American Championships titles to the table.
Olivia Reeves: The Favorite for Gold
Olivia Reeves, the number-one ranked 71kg Olympian, arrives in Paris as the favorite for gold in her category. The 71kg powerhouse has amassed an impressive resume, including 13 podium finishes in 15 international events since 2019.
Mary Theisen-Lappen: The Rising Super-Heavyweight
Rounding out the team is newcomer Mary Theisen-Lappen, who will take on the super-heavyweight division. The world number five in the +81kg class, Theisen-Lappen has rapidly ascended the ranks and is poised to challenge for a likely bronze medal.
With this formidable lineup of Olympians, the United States is primed to make a significant impact in the weightlifting competition at the 2024 Paris Games.
“This year, the U.S. is sending perhaps its most formidable weightlifting squad ever to compete on the global stage.”
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