The Pan American Games are ongoing right now in Rio. They’ll finish up this weekend. For many U.S. Olympic hopefuls, this contest is an important proving ground. The U.S. sent 595 athletes, more than they sent to the 2004 Olympics in Greece.
Athletes of note include three-tim Olympian swimmer Gary Hall Jr. and sailing’s Paul Forrester, a four-time Olympian. Modern pentathlon athlete Sheila Taormina is attempting to become the first U.S. athlete ever to make a fourth Olympic team in three different sports, having already been a member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team as a swimmer and the 2000 and 2004 U.S. Olympic Teams as a triathlete. Rapid-fire pistol shooter John McNally has competed in five Olympic Games and every Pan American Games since 1979.
The Pan American Games will see a wide age range of Americans competing, from fifty-five-year-old shooting athlete Elizabeth “Libby” Callahan to gymnast Rebecca Bross, 13. Rebecca will celebrate her 14th birthday on July 11, which will make her one of four 14 year olds. Gymnastics teammate Ivana Hong and divers Mary Beth Dunnichay and Haley Ishimatsu are also 14.
