BOISE, Idaho — A lifetime's worth of work has paid off for eight athletes with ties to the Gem State as they head to France with the world's best competitors for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Team Idaho features a trio of Boise, Caldwell and Rexburg natives representing the United States in cycling, boxing and the heptathlon, respectively. It also includes a former Bronco All-American and athletes coached by Idaho's very own Kristin Armstrong and Boise State's Pat McCurry.
The Opening Ceremony on the Seine is scheduled for Friday, July 26. Events such as archery, football, handball and rugby sevens will kick off the Paris Games prior to the celebration. The Closing Ceremony comes Sunday, Aug. 11, before transitioning to the Paralympic Games.
Get to know each Team Idaho athlete and their journey to Paris below. Click here to learn about athletes who nearly qualified this summer and look to earn a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Women's heptathlon
Rexburg native | Madison High School graduate
Brooks | Utah State University graduate
- Finished second in women's heptathlon with personal best 6,456 points at U.S. Olympic Team Trials (2024)
- Finished in top three in four events with personal bests in shot put and javelin throw at Olympic Trials (2024)
- First Utah State athlete to qualify for Olympics since James Parker in 2004
Hawkins posted the performance of a lifetime in Eugene at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials to earn one of three Team USA bids in the women's heptathlon for the Paris Olympics. The Rexburg native finished second overall in the event on Monday, June 24, with a personal best 6,456 points.
The Utah State University great secured the silver medal with a personal-best time of 2:14.76 in the heptathlon 800-meter race. Hawkins also finished second with all-time bests in the shot put (14.67 meters) and javelin throw (49.28 meters) at Hayward Field.
Hawkins punched her ticket to Paris based on current World Athletics rankings, where she sits No. 12 overall and second among Americans, despite not meeting the event's Olympic standard of 6,480 points.
Final qualification for the Paris Olympics' field of 24 in the women's heptathlon features the top-three athletes in each country who meet 6,480 points. Qualifying then includes the highest-ranked athletes in the world until the 24-person field is met.
The 33-year-old is the first Utah State athlete to qualify for the Olympics since James Parker at the 2004 Athens Olympics. The heptathlon is slated for Thursday, Aug. 8, and Friday, Aug. 9, at the Stade de France.
Women's 3,000-meter steeplechase
Boise State University graduate | Pasco, Washington native
Tracksmith | Idaho Afoot
- Finished third in women's 3,000-meter steeplechase final at U.S. Olympic Team Trials (2024)
- Ran personal-best time of 9:07.14 in steeplechase final at U.S. Olympic Team Trials (2024)
- Two-time first team All-American in 3,000m steeplechase (2014, 2015)
- Three-time Mountain West champion in 3,000m steeplechase (2013, 2014, 2015)
Howard became the first female Boise State alum to ever claim a spot on the United States Olympic track and field team by finishing third in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase final on Thursday, June 27. She ran a personal-best time of 9:07.14 to earn bronze in the event at Hayward Field.
The former Bronco All-American joins Valerie Constien and Courtney Wayment on Team USA for the steeplechase in Paris, which gets underway with the first round on Sunday, Aug. 4. Nine runners posted personal bests and Constien set a new U.S. Olympic Team Trials record (9:03.22) in the final.
Howard will make her Olympic debut this summer after falling two spots shy of a trip to Tokyo in 2021. The Pasco native also achieved a then season-best time of 9:26.38 to finish as the second-fastest runner across both steeplechase heats on Monday, June 24.
The three-time Mountain West champion has advanced to five finals between the USATF Outdoor Championships and U.S. Olympic Team Trials. She made her first trip after the birth of her son Kai in July 2023, finishing fifth with a 9:22.73, clearing the Olympic standard.
Howard has achieved a pair of dreams – becoming a mother and an Olympian – connecting the path between parenthood and Paris. Prior to Eugene, Howard told KTVB she is "a more balanced athlete" mentally and physically since adding the title of "Marisa the mom."
Men's road cycling
Boise native | Boise High School graduate
Team Visma-Lease a Bike
- Claimed first one-day victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen in March 2024 (04:07:44)
- Became third American to win Paris-Nice in March 2024 (27:50:23 - Eight-stage race)
Jorgenson fostered his love for cycling in the Boise Foothills. He's fought his way on to a number of international podiums over the past four years. As a result, the 24-year-old cyclist will get to parade his talents through Paris this summer during the 2024 Olympic Games.
The Boise native became only the third American to ever win the Paris-Nice race in March, joining Bobby Julich (2005) and Floyd Landis (2006) in the prestigious event's history. Jorgenson's 2023 performance included two top-five finishes in stages of the Tour de France.
He also claimed an overall victory in the Tour of Oman, fourth place in the E3 Saxo Classic and ninth place in the Tour of Flanders last year. Jorgenson's contract with Team Visma-Lease a Bike continues into 2026.
“The Olympics were always a part of my childhood. I remember spending entire summers watching sports I had never heard of and admiring the athletes," Jorgenson said. "For sure it had a big effect on me and was one of the reasons I decided to pursue a career as a pro athlete. Being able to race in Paris, especially following the best year of my career, is a dream come true.”
Women's boxing (57 kg / 125 pounds)
Caldwell, Idaho | Middleton High School graduate
- First Olympic boxer from Idaho and youngest boxer on Team USA
- Made USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Team in 2023
- Won the 2022 USA Boxing Elite National Championships
- Won bronze in international debut at the 2023 Strandja Tournament
The 20-year-old boxer became the first Idahoan to officially punch a ticket to Paris with an impressive run at the second 2024 Olympic Games World Qualification Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand.
Mendoza won all four of her bouts by unanimous decision, including the finale over Maud Van Der Toorn from the Netherlands on June 2. With the fourth-straight win, the Caldwell native became the eighth and final athlete to make the U.S. Olympic boxing team.
Team USA's roster for the Paris Olympics is comprised entirely of rookies for the second-straight time. Mendoza claimed her first win in Thailand over Bolortuul Tumurkhuyag out of Mongolia on May 24. The featherweight phenom then captured three more unanimous decision victories to make history.
"To be representing Team USA at 57 kg is a huge accomplishment," Mendoza said. "I always have been watching whenever USA goes international, and I’ve always thought like, 'man, I can’t wait until I can do that', and now I am, and I’m super excited about it."
Boxing begins on Saturday, July 27, the day after the Opening Ceremony at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Competition concludes on Saturday, Aug. 10, one day before the Closing Ceremony.
Women's mountain biking
Coached by Kristin Armstrong
Park City, Utah | Specialized Factory Racing
- Competed in women's mountain biking for the United States at 2020 Tokyo Olympics
- Won short track and cross-country events at second round of UCI Mountain Bike World Cup
- 2024 Pan American Champion and U23 World Cup winner
Batten is coached by three-time Olympic gold medalist and Boise native Kristin Armstrong. USA Cycling on Tuesday, June 11 announced Batten is in the four-person lineup for the mountain biking events at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she will compete in women's cross country again.
The 25-year-old Olympian swept the short track and cross-country events at the second round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Brazil and finished third in Mairiporã in the opening round. Batten finished ninth in the 2020 Olympics with a time of 1:20:13.
Batten won bronze at the 2022 World Championships after her Olympic debut in Tokyo and has been even more impressive as of late. The Utah native secured a pair of gold medals with five podium finishes at the 2024 Pan American Mountain Bike Championships.
“My Olympic pursuit has been an amazing journey. Through injury, personal growth, and relentless hard work, I am proud to earn my spot to represent Team USA in Paris," Batten said. "Throughout my youth, I have dreamed of becoming an Olympic athlete and to earn a medal for the USA. I am honored to have this opportunity and I am fully focused on preparing at my best.”
Women's 3,000-meter steeplechase
Coached by Boise State's Pat McCurry | ACICS Europe
Great Britain | St. Albans Herts, England
- Won women's 3,000-meter steeplechase at UK Championships to qualify for Paris (2024)
- Competed in 3,000m steeplechase for Great Britain in 2020 Tokyo Olympics
- Won silver medal in 3,000m steeplechase at Commonwealth Games (2022)
- Two-time bronze medalist in 3,000m steeplechase at European Athletics Championships (2022, 2024)
Bird punched her ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase at the UK Championships on Saturday, June 29. She finished the race in 9:29.67, four seconds ahead of the second-place finisher at Manchester Regional Arena.
Bird is one of several world-class athletes to have been coached by McCurry, who was named the head coach of Boise State track and field and cross country teams on June 3. Bird in August 2022 lowered the British record with a 9:07.87 in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase.
She had previously broke her own record while representing Great Britain in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she finished ninth in the steeplechase. Bird was born in Manila, Philippines, and her family spent time living in Pakistan and Dubai before moving back to the UK.
The Olympian graduated from Princeton and earned a master's in international studies from the University of San Francisco, where McCurry was the head coach from 2018 to 2021. Bird has been ranked as high as No. 8 in the world in the steeplechase, with a pair of bronze medals from the European Athletics Championships and a silver medal from the XXII Commonwealth Games.
Women's road cycling
Coached by Kristin Armstrong
Brownsburg, Indiana | CANYON//SRAM Racing
- Won silver medal for the United States in the women's 4 km team pursuit at 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics
- Won bronze medal for the United State in the women's 4 km team pursuit at 2020 Tokyo Olympics
- Claimed 11th world title by winning women's individual pursuit at 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships
The two-time Olympian, who is also coached by Idaho's very own Kristin Armstrong, is set to compete in the women's time trial, team pursuit and road race at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Dygert is a two-time Olympic medalist, with silver and bronze medals under her belt.
After a crash at the 2020 UCI Road World Championships, Dygert made her return to the championships in 2023, where she claimed her 11th world title. The Indiana native provisionally qualified for the 2024 Olympic team by winning the 22-mile road time trial. Dygert finished the course in just under 47 minutes as the 19th starter in the field of 86 riders.
Dygert not only claimed an Olympic medal in the team pursuit on the track in Tokyo, but also finished seventh on the road in the individual time trial.
“It’s truly a blessing. I am truly blessed to be selected for my third Olympic Games in USA colors," Dygert said. "Thankful for those who go above and beyond behind the scenes to make sure I’m the best I can be on and off the bike. We will see you in Paris.”
Equestrian dressage
Trains in Sun Valley, Idaho
Whidbey Island, Washington | Wellington, Florida
- Won silver medal in equestrian dressage team event for the United States at 2020 Tokyo Olympics
- Placed 19th in individual dressage event at 2020 Tokyo Olympics
- Placed 37th in individual dressage event at 2012 London Olympics
Lyle was born and raised on Whidbey Island and attended Washington State University before working with equestrian trainer Debbie McDonald in Ketchum. She is on a quest to repeat on the podium during her third Olympic appearance at the 2024 Games.
US Equestrian on Wednesday, June 26 announced the four athlete-and-horse combinations selected to Team USA for Paris. The list included Lyle and Helix, a 2012 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by the Zen Elite Equestrian Center and cared for by Marina Lemay.
Lyle helped the Untied States equestrian team win silver in the Grand Prix Special at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Lyle and her horse, Salvino, stamped their mark with a 76.109% early in the competition. She also placed 19th in the individual dressage event in Tokyo and finished 37th at the 2012 London Olympics in the individual final.
The Team Idaho athlete will make her Olympic debut with Helix after Salvino, the 2022 International Horse of the Year, retired. At the Myakka City Olympic observation event at TerraNova in April, Lyle and Helix won the Grand Prix with a score of 72.021% and the Grand Prix Special with a 73.979%.
The 2024 Paris Olympics dressage competition at the equestrian grounds of Versailles begins on Tuesday, July 30, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 4.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Tracking Team Idaho's hopefuls for 2024 Paris Olympics
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