Wisconsin athletes, fans gear up for 2024 Olympic Games in Paris

Van Rear is the co-owner of Borland’s Tavern, a small bar and restaurant next to Lake Belle View in Belleville.

At 5 a.m. Saturday, he’s opening up shop to welcome the village of 2,591 to come watch hometown girl Lauren O’Connor compete in rowing for Team USA at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

“This is like the chance of a lifetime,” Rear said. “They (athletes) have to come from somewhere and it’s just kind of cool that an Olympian actually came from our small town.”

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“It’s just the coolest thing I think that has probably ever happened to this town,” he continued.

O’Connor is one of 18 Wisconsinites who are competing for Team USA in the Olympics and Paralympics this year.

Madeleine Wanamaker, Claire Collins, Kendall Chase, Grace Luczak, of the United States, compete in the women’s four at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

They come from every corner of the state. And now, they’re set to compete in a wide array of events, from basketball, to judo, to rowing to weightlifting.

Stephanie Roble — who grew up in East Troy — is competing in sailing. She said she was destined to be a sailor on Lake Beulah.

Maria Laborde, who grew up in Cuba, will compete in Judo. She has made a new life for herself in the U.S. and now teaches judo in Kenosha.

Margherita Guzzi Vincenti, who lives in Hartland, is competing in fencing. Guzzi Vincenti told WPR she wouldn’t be able to attend the opening ceremonies as she has to compete on Saturday. But she said that hasn’t taken her joy away from being able to compete.

“The energy in the (Olympic) village is super nice, everybody is hyped, so it’s just been great, great, great,” she said.

She even had a chance to meet Snoop Dogg, who will be an Olympic torch bearer, according to the Associated Press.

“He’s like snooping around. No pun intended there,” she said. “The guy is very cool, very nice dude.”

Fencer Margherita Guzzi Vincenti smiles as she removes her mask Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Hartland, Wis. She will represent the United States in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Angela Major/WPR

Guzzi Vincenti joins more than 10,500 athletes from across the world competing in the Olympic Games. There are also 17 athletes who either attend or have attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison competing in the Games.

“There’s no question we’re excited to watch our athletes compete on the biggest stage in the world,” said Patrick Herb, a spokesperson for the university.

“We’re extremely proud of having that many athletes that we can follow over the next few weeks,” he added.

The opening ceremonies for the Olympics start on Friday — but the event will look a little different this year.

“For the first time in the history of the Olympic Summer Games, the Opening Ceremony will not take place in a stadium,” the Olympics website says.

Instead, the “parade of athletes” will take place on the Seine River, with athletes traveling on boats with other athletes from their country.

“The parade will come to the end of its 6-kilometre route in front of the Trocadéro, where the remaining elements of Olympic protocol and final shows will take place,” the website said.

The 2024 Summer Olympics will take place July 26-Aug. 11, while the Paralympic Games take place Aug. 28-Sept. 8.

WPR is talking with Wisconsin’s athletes competing in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Head to WPR’s special Olympic and Paralympic page to meet more of the competitors.