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10 Olympians to watch in Rio

By Dani Bostick

OMAHA, NE - JULY 02: Michael Phelps of the United States competes in the final heat for the Men's 100 Meter Butterfly during Day Seven of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at CenturyLink Center on July 2, 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - JULY 02: Michael Phelps of the United States competes in the final heat for the Men's 100 Meter Butterfly during Day Seven of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at CenturyLink Center on July 2, 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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EUGENE, OR – JULY 03: Vashti Cunningham competes in the Women’s High Jump Final during the 2016 U.S. Olympic Track
EUGENE, OR – JULY 03: Vashti Cunningham competes in the Women’s High Jump Final during the 2016 U.S. Olympic Track /

9. Vashti Cunningham, Track and Field

Vashti Cunningham qualified for Rio in early July with a remarkable high jump mark of 6 feet, 5.5 inches. At 18, Vashti is the youngest athlete to make qualify for Olympics in track and field since 1980.

Another interesting tidbit about Cunningham is that she is the daughter of Randall Cunningham, a four-time NFL Pro-Bowler, two-time NFL MVP, and member of the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame.

Vashti said of her father in a Dispatch.com article, “Me and my dad are similar athletes. I want to win everything I do. I’ll be thankful if I go and don’t win, but there’s always that fire in me that needs to win and wants to win.”

If you’re an NFL fan killing time before the regular season starts, there are a few other connections to the NFL in this year’s Olympic games. New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner will represent the United States as a member of its rugby team.

Meanwhile, former Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best will represent St. Lucia in the 100 meter dash. In 2012 Marquise Goodwin, a Buffalo Bills wide receiver, competed in long jump during the 2012 Olympics.

Next: 8. Women's Soccer