Simone Biles.
The recording-breaking elite gymnast is part of the powerhouse Team USA. Though this will be her Olympic debut, at the age of 19, Biles has already earned the distinction of being the most decorated female gymnast in World championships history.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
The Jamaican runner is on her way to becoming the first athlete to win three straight 100m golds at the Olympics.
Lia Neal and Simone Manuel
The two Stanford swimmers made history after qualifying for the U.S. swim, marking the first time that two black women have ever made the cut at the same time.
Ashleigh Johnson
Goaltender Ashleigh Johnson is the first black woman to play water polo for the U.S. Olympic team.
Margret Rumat Rumat Hassan
The 400-meter runner is part of a small South Sudanese team, which will be competing in the country’s first ever Olympic appearance.
Toni-Ann Williams
Williams will be the first Jamaican gymnast to represent the country at the Summer Olympics.
English Gardner
After having failed to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the track and field sprinter is back with a vengeance and ready for victory.
Nzingha Prescod
The Brooklyn-born fencer hopes to become the first African-American fencer to win Olympic gold.
Nicola Adams
The reigning world boxing champion is hoping to defend her gold medal and make history as the first British boxer to do so since 1924.
Maya Moore
After winning a gold medal in London in 2012, Moore is back as part the U.S. Dream Team.
Gabby Douglas
Douglas made history and headlines as part of the gold medaling U.S. gymnastics team. Despite a few minor setbacks, Douglas is back again to compete alongside fellow elite gymnasts Simone Biles, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian and Aly Raisman.
Ibtihaj Muhammad
The New Jersey native is the first Muslim woman who wears hijab to qualify for the United States Olympic Team.
Claressa Shields
In 2012, Shields a native of Flint, Michigan went to the Olympics as the youngest and one of the first woman boxers to compete for the United States. This time around, she hopes to score another gold medal win.
Tori Bowie
The 25-year-old track and field sprinter will be competing at her first Olympics in Rio.
Caster Semenya
After facing accusations and humiliation over her biological sex back in 2009, Semenya has made a slow and steady return to the world of competitive running. She’ll be competing in the Women’s 800m in Rio.
Genzebe Dibaba
The world record holding middle and long-distance runner will compete at the women’s 1500m in Rio. Last year Dibaba made headlines after breaking a 22-year-old world record.