There are thousands of athletes at the Olympics active on social media. Just the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team has 554 athletes (262 men, 292 women) competing. Here are a quick high five of unique personalities that are great follows while you’re following Team USA in Rio. Also, they are all worth cheering for when they compete.
1. Kerri Walsh Jennings – Beach Volleyball
Instagram – 136k followers: @kerrileewalsh
After four gold medals, Kerry Walsh Jennings hasn’t lost that competitive fire or stopped being grateful for it all. Her husband and fellow pro volleyball player Casey Jennings describes her as “six feet of sunshine” and that comes through in her Instagram profile with posts full of inspiration and positivity. She also lives and trains in my old neighborhood of Manhattan Beach, CA. Her own Instagram profile descriptions says it all – Believer, wife, mother, athlete, lover of life, chaser of dreams; grateful for it all. I AM @kerrileewalsh
2. Jordan Burroughs – Wrestling
Instagram -244k followers: @alliseeisgold
Jordan just seems like someone you want to root for. His Instagram profile reads “Husband. Dad. 3x World Champion. 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist. 2016 Olympian. You are now watching history in the making.” He isn’t all wrestling either, often posting about life outside of his sport.
3. Ibtihaj Muhammad – Fencing
Instagram – 68k followers: @ibtihajmuhammad
We all need a little of what Muhammad has. She’s having fun while making history in Rio by being the first American woman to compete in the games wearing a hijab. And fencing is very underrated as a sport.
4. Carlin Isles – Rugby
Twitter – 19k: @Carlin_Isles
The world’s fastest rugby player could become a big star as a member of the inaugural USA Rugby Sevens Team, a new sport for 2016. He’s played for both the Detroit Lions in NFL (practice squad) and the Glasgow Warriors.
5. Rickie Fowler – Golf
Instagram – 947k followers: @rickiefowler
Twitter – 1.25M followers: @RickieFowler
Rickie made our list of best follows during The Social Media Masters and that recommendation certainly holds true while he lives the dream in Rio as golf returns to the Olympics for the first time since 1904.
And just for fun, here is Team USA getting ready for Rio with “Can’t Stop The Feeling” at the Olympic Training Center.
