Since 1952, California has produced the most Olympic athletes for Team USA. A remarkable 20% of the current squad are from the Golden State, leading both Florida and Texas as the second and third most, respectively.
Throughout history, Californians, and especially athletes from Los Angeles, have set world records, posted memorable performances, and stood proudly on the podium adorned in the red, white, and blue.
Here are the Top 10 Summer Olympians From California All-Time:
Florence Griffith Joyner (Los Angeles, Track and Field)
Florence Griffith Joyner Statue At Madame Tussauds
As of this writing, Griffith Joyner’s records for 100m and 200m have yet to be broken, standing since 1988. A year later after her historic runs, the two-time Olympian abruptly retired, earning a living from a glut of endorsement deals rewarding her running success.
From 1993-1998, she served as the co-chair of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Sadly, just ten years after her accomplishments at Seoul, Joyner passed away in her sleep at the age of 38 from a form of epileptic seizure that led her to suffocate.
Allyson Felix (Los Angeles, Track and Field)
Felix is one of the most decorated track and field athletes in history. Overall, she boasts a record 20 World Championship medals and 11 medals at the Olympic Games, including seven golds.
Although she isn’t competing in Paris, Felix is still contributing to the games. Partnering with Pampers, Felix launched the first-ever nursery at Olympic Village, designed to support athletes with accommodations for their offspring.
Greg Louganis (El Cajon, Diving)
Louganis won gold medals at the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics on the springboard and platform. He is the only male diver in Olympic history to sweep the diving events in consecutive Olympic Games.
Six months before his final Olympics, Louganis was diagnosed with HIV and allegedly lost out on numerous endorsements due to his sexuality. He has since frequently worked with the Human Rights Campaign to defend the civil liberties of the LGBT community and those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.
Janet Evans (Fullerton, Swimming)
Born in Fullerton, Evans grew up in neighboring Placentia, where she was setting national age group records in swimming by the age of just 11 years old. Evans became the first woman to earn back-to-back titles, winning the 1988 and 1992 Olympic gold medals and the 1991 and 1994 World Championship in the 800-meter freestyle race.
Currently, she is working as chief athlete officer for the 2028 Summer Olympics organizing committee, which will be held in her home state.
Misty May-Treanor (Los Angeles, Volleyball)
One of the most famous volleyball players of all time, May-Treanor and teammate Kerri Walsh Jennings earned gold medals in the sports at the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympics. Additionally, the pair set countless records during their partnership, including a win streak of 112 consecutive matches and 19 consecutive tournament titles from 2007-08.
This beat their previous record of 89 consecutive victories.
Mark Spitz: (Modesto, Swimming)
Spitz won two gold in relay races and two individual medals (a silver and bronze) at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. However, it was the Modesto swimmers performance at the 1972 Olympics in Munich that made him legendary.
Spitz went to become the first athlete to win seven gold medals in a single Games. The record held until 2008, when it was broken by Michael Phelps.
Dara Torres: (Beverly Hills, Swimming)
One of the fastest swimmers in history, Torres is the first swimmer to represent the United States in five Olympic Games. At 41, she also became the oldest to earn a place on the U.S. Olympic team. In all, her Olympic career spanned 24 years from 1984 to 2008, winning 12 medals and claiming records in three different events.
Torres currently serves as the head coach of swimming and diving for Boston College.
Natalie Coughlin (Vallejo, Swimming)
Over three Olympics, Coughlin competed in 12 events and won 12 medals, including three gold. She is tied with only Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi in medaling in every race.
Coughlin is notched with fellow swimming greats Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres for the most Olympic medals earned by a female athlete.
Matt Biondi (Moraga, Swimming)
Biondi is only one of three competitors to have won at least seven golds at the Olympic Games. The three-time Olympian finished his career with 11 medals overall, only failing to medal in one race. Coincidentally, he also won 11 medals overall in World Championship competition.
During his swimming career, he set three individual world records in the 50-meter freestyle and four in the 100-meter freestyle.
Diana Taurasi (Chino, Basketball)
Arguably the greatest WNBA player of all time, Taurasi is competing for her record-breaking sixth gold medal. She is currently notched with retired Sue Bird for the most gold medals in the sport all-time.
At age 42, she is also the oldest to compete for Team USA.
Taurasi originally won gold all the way back in 2004, competing with the likes of Hall of Famers Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, and Dawn Staley. Her mark of 38 Olympic Games is the most by any country in hardwood history.
With over 145 Californians competing in Paris for the USA, plenty will make their country proud with gold, silver, or bronze medals slung around their neck. The Paris Olympics take place from July 26 to August 11.
