The Hudson Valley offers some fierce competition when it comes to high school and collegiate sports, and now in the Olympics, too. This year, there are six local athletes representing the Hudson Valley region in the 2024 Paris Olympics. From track and field and swimming to equestrian and fencing, these athletes have serious skills to look out for on the screen this year when you tune into the Olympic Games, which kick off on Friday, July 26.
Charlotte Buck
Hometown: Nyack
Sport: Rowing
View this post on Instagram
A native of Rockland County, Charlotte Buck is back for the 2024 Olympics after her debut in 2020’s Tokyo summer games. Buck started her career in rowing back in 2014, when she was part of the Rockland Rowing masters team. After committing to Columbia University for college, Buck decided to walk on to the Ivy League school’s rowing team during her first year. Not only did she go on to become team captain, but she was also the recipient of the MVP Award at the university for her athleticism. In Tokyo, Buck placed fourth in the women’s eight event, and now she’s back for more this year in Paris.
Kate Douglass
Hometown: Pelham
Sport: Swimming
View this post on Instagram
From Westchester County, Kate Douglass is also back for her second Olympic experience on Team USA’s swim team. Although she only competed in the summer games once before in 2021, Douglass qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 2016 for the 50-meter free, 100- and 200-meter breast, and 200-meter individual medley events. During her Olympic debut in Tokyo, she placed third in the 200-meter individual medley event, earning her a bronze medal.
Mclain Ward
Hometown: Brewster
Sport: Equestrian
View this post on Instagram
For Mclain Ward, the 2024 Paris Olympics will mark his sixth time participating in the summer games. Debuting in Athens in 2004, Ward has racked up a lot of hardware since then, earning two gold and two silver medals with the USA men’s equestrian team. Winning silver in Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro and gold in Beijing and Athens, Ward is sure to put on quite a show during his events at this year’s Paris Olympics.
Rai Benjamin
Hometown: Mount Vernon
Sport: Track & Field
View this post on Instagram
Originally from Mount Vernon, Rai Benjamin is a force to be reckoned with in the track and field world. After setting records during his collegiate career at UCLA and USC, Benjamin went on to place second in the 400-meter hurdles and first in the 4×400-meter relay at the Tokyo summer games. Currently, Benjamin holds the title of the second fastest man in history in the 400-meter hurdles, so he is definitely one to watch during this summer games.
Rudy Winkler
Hometown: Sand Lake
Sport: Track & Field
View this post on Instagram
Also a track and field athlete at this year’s Paris Olympics, Rudy Winkler is a two-time Olympian who specializes in the hammer throw. From Rensselaer County, Winkler first learned how to hammer throw in his backyard, going on to earn many accolades in the event during his time on the track and field team at Cornell University. Currently, Winkler holds the American record in the hammer throw and placed seventh and 18th in the event at the Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro summer games, respectively.
Victoria Isaacson
Hometown: Poughkeepsie
Sport: Wheelchair Fencing
View this post on Instagram
As a competitive fencer, Victoria Isaacson never let anything get in the way of her passion, and neither did her coaches. A member of Team USA, Isaacson will represent the United States and the Hudson Valley region in women’s foil at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Also a doctor of occupational therapy, Isaacson does it all and is ready to dominate the fencing field.
Related: These Are the Most Affordable Towns in the Hudson Valley
