Before Olympians were Olympians, they were cute kids like the rest of us. Even at just a few feet tall, some of them were already grooming to be the medalists they are today.
We're taking a trip back in time to honor the women and men who are impressing the world one event at a time this year at the 2016 Olympic games. Here's our Throwback Thursday: Olympian edition.
SEE ALSO:We asked an Olympian what it's like to spend 4 years training for RioNow, swimmer Ryan Lochte making headlines for his green hair (and his gold medal from the 4x200 meter freestyle relay), but back in the day Ryan Lochte could also rock a mean dancing suit.
View this post on Instagram
Michael Phelps isn't one to post many #TBT pics of himself on the 'gram, but that doesn't mean we can't dig some up. The most decorated gold medalist in the games held the world record for the men's 200-meter butterfly in 2001. Looks like things haven't changed all too much.
She's one of the fastest people in the world as a 2012 Olympic champion and world record holder. But back in the day, Allyson Felix was made fun of her skinny legs. "Now, those same legs help me break records," she wrote on Instagram in a throwback image. Show them who's boss, Allyson. Oh, and her baby picture with her brother is adorable too.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
When Hope Solo was 12 years old, her parents asked her to stop playing soccer because of finances. The goalkeeper refused—and now, she's one of the best in the world and has Olympic medals AND a World Cup medal to show off, reminding us all to never give up on our dreams.
View this post on Instagram
They are probably the most discussed people at this year's Olympic games, and for good reason. The five gymnasts who make up this year's squad are young and powerful in their events. So far, they've already collected one gold medal, and all eyes are peeled for what comes next for these women.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Ibtihaj Muhammad made headlines as the first hijab wearing Muslim-American woman to compete for the United States in the Olympic games. The fencer was defeated in the second round of Women’s Individual Sabre, but we're still cheering her on and looking forward to what's next for the incredible athlete.
View this post on Instagram
If you don't know Usain Bolt, you might at least be familiar with his famous move at the end of races. He's the world's fastest human and has been competing for a long time, and rose to prominence at the age of 15 when he won the 200 meter at 2002 World Juniors Championships.
View this post on Instagram
People are calling her the next Michael Phelps, which was pretty ironic considering the Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky met Phelps ten years ago at the age of nine. Now she's competing on the same international stage as him, and already has three gold medals to her name during this year's games. Watch out, Phelps. Ledecky's coming for your record.
Tweet may have been deleted
View this post on Instagram
You might remember Missy Franklin from the last Olympic games. The swimmer is back this year and already has a gold medal from the women's 4x200 meter freestyle relay. She collected four gold medal during the 2012 games, so we'll be cheering her on as she hopefully makes history once again.
View this post on Instagram
Remember the athlete that predicted her Olympic spot years ago? That's runner Morolake Akinosun. She'll be participating in the women's 4x100 meter relay for the U.S. and hopefully will be predicting a medal too.
View this post on Instagram
April Ross will be playing alongside Kerri Walsh Jennings, and the two beach volleyball stars are quickly moving up the ranks in this year's games.
"Back then I was just a young girl playing pepper and running sprints in my backyard in California..." she wrote on Instagram, "I couldn’t imagine that one day I would be going around the world to play."
View this post on Instagram
Paul George may need a reminder that he's not in America for the Olympics, but he still should be celebrated. The Team USA basketball player has a couple cute #tbt posts in his Instagram, reminding us where he came from.
View this post on Instagram
TopicsOlympics
(责任编辑:休閑)
There's a big piece of fake chicken stuck to this phone case
姆巴佩+C羅+馬拉多納!梅西一場比賽戰勝三人,留下完美“背影”(姆巴佩和c羅是一個俱樂部的嗎)
官方實力榜雄鹿領跑 勇士第2火箭第6湖人跌至第22(籃網2021)
官方戰力榜迎來更新:勇士跌至次席,籃網名列前五,湖人排名上升(籃網2021)
姆巴佩,通向“新王”之路(姆巴佩和c羅是一個俱樂部的嗎英文)
印度國家羽毛球公開賽2023首日成績及賽程18(2021羽毛球印尼公開賽)
Make money or go to Stanford? Katie Ledecky is left with an unfair choice.
原創 NBA官方實力榜:綠軍掘金雄鹿前3 太陽第13勇士第16湖人僅第21(籃網實力2021)