2024 Massachusetts Summer Olympians

While most Massachusett residents likely had a typical New England summer, 20 athletes from the Bay State spent their time competing at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games hosted in Paris, France. 

Starting on Friday July 26th, athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees, along with the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, joined together in the renowned city of Paris for the chance to fulfill their Olympic dreams. In total, there were roughly 11 thousand athletes competing across 32 different sports. From Team USA alone, there were 594 athletes, making it one of the largest teams. By the conclusion of the Olympics, Team USA won a total of 126 medals, 40 of which were gold. Many of the Massachusetts athletes helped Team USA achieve this admirable medal count, though not all of the MA athletes represented the USA. The 20 athletes who competed across 14 different sports represented a total of four nations, including the US. 

One of the most-watched sports at the Olympic Games is gymnastics, and Massachusetts gymnasts were well-represented. Both the women’s and men’s teams have five athletes who are set to compete, and on Team USA’s men’s team, two of the members were from Massachusetts: Frederick Richard, from Stoughton, and Stephen Nedoroscik, from Worcester. These men, along with their three other teammates, helped the team secure the Team Final bronze medal, which was the first medal for the U.S men’s team since 2008.

Nedorosckic himself was the last to compete in the Team Final for the men, and his event was the pommel horse. His routine was almost flawless, and the score he achieved was put together with his teammates' scores, which then guaranteed them the bronze medal. Nedorosckic also went on to win the bronze medal for the pommel horse individual final, and has since gone viral on social media for his success, in addition to having earned the name “the specialist.”

Track and field star Gabby Thomas,  born in Florence, MA, represented Team USA at her second Olympic Games. She started off her journey in Paris already being a two-time Olympic medalist, and now has five Olympic medals. This Olympics she won all gold, winning the 200m event as well as winning the Women’s 4 x 100m and the Women’s 4 x 400m events. 

There were also some MA residents who competed in the Olympic aquatics. Ruby Remati of Andover competed alongside her teammates for the USA synchronized swimming team. The team ended up securing the silver medal, which was the best team finish since 1996. Additionally, Zuri Ferguson, a 17-year-old from Attleboro, represented Trinidad and Tobago in swimming. Six athletes from MA also competed for rowing in Paris. Daisy Mazzio-Manson (Wellesley) and Kristi Wagner (Weston) competed for the USA in the women’s four heats and women’s double sculls, while Regina Salmons (Methuen) and Margaret Hedeman (Concord) competed for the USA in the women’s eight heats. Henry Hollingsworth (Dover) competed for USA in the men’s eight heats, and Dara Alizadeh (Brookline) represented Bermuda in the men’s single sculls. 

 Kristi Kirshe from Franklin helped the women’s rugby team secure the Bronze medal, which was a historic win for the team. Madison Hughes from Lancaster played with the men’s rugby team, which made it to the quarter finals. Additionally, soccer player Miles Robinson from Arlington played for the USA men’s soccer team. 

Massachusetts athletes also competed in field hockey, fencing, archery, triathlon, shooting, and skateboarding. Alexandra Hammel (Duxbury) competed for USA field hockey, and Eli Dershwitz (Boston) competed for USA fencing. Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez (Boston) competed in archery, Kirsten Kasper (North Andover) competed in the women’s triathlon, Ada Korkhin (Brookline) competed for shooting, and Andrew Macdonald (Melrose) competed for Great Britain in skateboarding. 

Overall, the 2024 Paris Olympics was a success, and the Massachusetts athletes all showcased their hard work and skill in the biggest competition in the world.