RIO (WKZO-AM) — The 2016 Summer Games in Rio have held their opening ceremonies and many members of the U.S. Team have Michigan connections. Ten live in the state.
Venus and Serena Williams were born and raised in Saginaw. Michael Phelps trained in Ann Arbor and is the first American male to compete in five Olympics.
He was voted by the team to carry the U.S. Flag into the arena last night. All three have already struck gold multiple times at previous games.
Discus thrower Andrew Evans lives in Portage and cycling’s Brent Bookwalter hails from Grand Rapids.
Several Michigan athletes have good chances at gold, in fact Boxer Claressa Sheilds of Flint is the defending Olympic Gold Medalist and Draymond Green of Saginaw is on The U.S. Basketball ‘Dream Team’.
Six-time Medalist Allison Schmidt of Canton, Michigan is the Co-Captain of the U.S. Swim Team and competing at her third Olympics.
Governor Snyder congratulated them on Friday wishing them the best of luck in the next two weeks in Rio.
