The 29 American Olympians' Instagrams to Follow Now
Follow these 29 accounts for your behind-the-scenes look at U.S. athletes who just might capture gold in Rio.
What do the internet and the Olympics have in common? For starters, they both bring people together from all over the world.
And though the 2016 summer games officially start August 8, there's still plenty of exciting buildup on Instagram beforehand (just check out the hashtag #RoadtoRio for proof).
Not sure who to follow for all the action? Start with these 29 accounts for your behind-the-scenes look at U.S. athletes who just might capture gold in Rio.
For All the Action
Looking for a few accounts to give you a quick summary shot of what's going on in Rio? You'll want to follow these four accounts.
1. Rio 2016
Go bilingual with this official look at all the happenings in Rio. Featuring shots from both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, this account makes you feel like you're right in the middle of the action.
Follow @Rio2016 on Instagram
2. The Olympic Games
For an account that you can follow year after year, regardless of where the games are held, check out the official Olympics Instagram. Plus, you know you'll see some pretty epic #TBT photos.
Follow @olympics on Instagram
3. NBC Olympics
NBC has long dominated coverage of the Olympics in the U.S., and now they're owning Instagram coverage, too. Catch each bead of sweat and every scream of victory (and even some snaps of athletes with puppies).
Follow @nbcolympics on Instagram
4. Team USA
If you bleed red, white and blue, you'll want to follow @TeamUSA this summer. Find behind-the-scenes shots of your favorite athletes as they chase down the gold for God and country.
Follow @TeamUSA on Instagram
Olympians on the Mat (and Beam and Rings)
You'll flip for these Instagram accounts featuring the finest gymnasts that America has to offer. Watch these men and women exhibit some of the craziest feats of strength and balance — from the uneven and parallel bars to the vault and the floor.
5. Gabby Douglas
Gabby took home gold with her team in 2012, and she's looking to do it again in 2016. Even if you think you know her from "Douglas Family Gold," you'll still want to follow her on Instagram.
Follow @gabbycvdouglas on Instagram
6. Aly Raisman
Another member of the women's gymnastics team that took home gold in 2012, Aly is also returning for another shot at one more medal. And her Instagram account makes red, white and blue look good!
Follow @alyraisman on Instagram
7. Simone Biles
She may be new to the Olympics, but this 19-year-old is no stranger to victory. As three-time world all-around champion and four-time U.S. national all-around champion (just to name a few), it's clear she's poised to snag some serious hardware in Rio.
Follow @simonebiles on Instagram
8. Sam Mikulak
He's baaaaack! After competing in the 2012 Olympics, Sam is once again competing on behalf of his country. And based on his score at the trials in St. Louis (he posted the highest all-around score), he's on top of his game.
Follow @samuelmikulak on Instagram
9. Laura Zeng
Rhythmic gymnastics might not be the event you think of when you think of Olympic gymnastics, but Laura's Instagram account will open your eyes to all the beauty and grace of the sport. Not to mention her insane training schedule.
Follow @toss_and_catch on Instagram
Athletes Hitting the Track
These runners are fast as lightning! They've set records nationally and are setting themselves up to steal the world's spotlight this summer. So be sure to catch them (if you can) on Instagram.
10. Allyson Felix
These days, you can find Allyson gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated's Olympic issue. But take a look at her Instagram, and you'll get a peek at what got her there: tons of hard work and some pretty awesome shoes.
Follow @af85 on Instagram
11. Justin Gatlin
You wouldn't think 34 would be considered old. But after he won the 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials this year, Gatlin became the oldest sprinter to make an American Olympic team. Age be damned, he's pretty darn fast.
Follow @justingatlin on Instagram
12. Emma Coburn
In 2012, Emma was the youngest runner on the American team. Now 4 years older and four years wiser, she won the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase. And as a member of Team New Balance, she even has her own shirt cheering, "Go Emma."
Follow @emmacoburn on Instagram
13. Meb Keflezighi
He conquered the New York City Marathon and Boston Marathon in 2009 and 2014, respectively, and now he's looking to conquer Rio. Watch out, world!
Follow @runmeb on Instagram
14. Jenn Suhr
Runners may take most of the spotlight when it comes to track and field. But don't say that to Jenn Suhr. As "the reigning queen of the pole vault," she qualified for the Olympics with the same height she jumped to win gold in London (15 feet, 9 inches). And if she keeps that pattern up, she'll be vaulting her way to another gold medal.
Follow @jennsuhr on Instagram
And Those Making a Splash
As the summer heats up, we'll all want to take a dip in the pool. But the reason these athletes are in the water has nothing to do with cooling down. In fact, they've just begun to make things even hotter. Figuratively, of course.
15. Ryan Lochte
His signature catch phrase may have inspired a thousand imitators, but his skills in the pool are nearly unmatched. Currently, his Olympic medal count sits at 11, but who knows how many more he'll amass by the end of the games. Fun fact: August 3 is Ryan's birthday, and what's a better gift than a shot at Olympic gold? Happy birthday, Ryan!
Follow @ryanlochte on Instagram
16. Missy Franklin
She made a name for herself at the 2012 Olympics (taking five medals in London), so fans will be happy to have her return this year. Even though she's a star in the pool, on her Instagram, she still takes time to eat her Wheaties.
Follow @missyfranklin88 on Instagram
17. Conor Dwyer
This Illinois boy is ready to take on the Olympics yet again. He took home a gold medal for swimming in London, and he's prepped to do it again this time around.
Follow @conorjdwyer on Instagram
18. Nathan Adrian
While he has three Olympic gold medals and the American record in the long course 50-meter freestyle, Nathan Adrian is anything but complacent. Click over to his Instagram for proof of his hours and hours spent in the pool and the weight room.
Follow @nathangadrian on Instagram
19. Matt Grevers
You might have spied this guy in the pages of Vogue with his teammate Nathan Adrian (see above), but the pics on his Instagram are a little more casual. See this six-time Olympic medalist hiking around Utah, sipping sports drinks by the pool and recovering on the couch.
Follow @mgrevers on Instagram
20. Mariya Koroleva
While speed may be the name of the game for the swimmers above, precision is the key for this synchronized swimmer. She and her partner Anita Alvarez have traversed the #RoadtoRio and are now ready for the main event.
Follow @mkoroleva on Instagram
21. Abby Johnston
She's not a swimmer, but she's still hitting the pool in Rio. Watch Abby Johnston dive her way to a medal. She took silver for her synchronized dive in 2012, but this year she's diving solo.
Follow @abbyljohnston on Instagram
Don't Miss Out on These Other Awesome Athletes
With 43 different sports being featured at the 2016 Olympics, there's no way to feature each and every athlete here. But if you're looking to take a break from the standard sports, here are some other events and their star athletes to watch out for.
22. Kerri Walsh Jennings
For this volleyball powerhouse, Rio marks her fifth Olympic games! But in addition to being an incredible athlete, her humble Instagram bio reads, "Believer, wife, mother, athlete, lover of life, chaser of dreams." And she's chasing her dreams all the way to Rio.
23. April Ross
And where would Walsh Jennings be without her partner? April is making her second Olympics appearance. What's a better account to follow in the summer than a beach volleyball player?
Follow @aprilrossbeach on Instagram
24. Kayla Harrison
Judo may not be the most popular sport, but you'll want to watch Kayla vie for her second gold medal this summer. And when she does win, you'll see her let out her signature roar.
Follow @judo_kayla on Instagram
25. Alise Post
You may be asking yourself, "BMX is an Olympic sport?" But Alise Post is here to assure you that it is — and that she's going to rock it this summer. With a nickname like "The Beast," you know she's fierce competition.
Follow @alisepost11 on Instagram
26. Claressa Shields
Earlier this year, Claressa Shields told ESPN that her goal was to, "go down in history as the best woman fighter to ever live." And with one gold medal under her belt from 2012 and a shot at another this summer, she's well on her way.
Follow @claressashields on Instagram
27. Grace Luczak
Rowing her way to Rio with partner Felice Mueller, Grace Luczak brings with her a gold medal from the 2015 World Championship and a world record from 2011. So follow her now to get an inside look at her training and shenanigans.
Follow @rowgracie on Instagram
28. Jackie Galloway
Proving she's a force to be reckoned with, Jackie's Instagram warns, "God help anyone who gets in my way." And come August, she'll be representing the U.S. in taekwondo. You can follow both her personal account (@jackiekicks_urface) and her training account (@jackiegalloway.usa) to see what it takes to train like an Olympian.
Follow @jackiekicks_urface on Instagram
29. Carlin Isles
His Instagram bio tells you pretty much everything you need to know about his major athletic accomplishments: "Ran track professional played in the NFL now play rugby professional for the U.S.A. team." And as rugby returns as an Olympic sport for the first time in 92 years, you'll want to keep your eyes on this superstar.
Follow @carlinisles on Instagram
What Do YOU Think?
Will you be watching the Summer Olympics this year? What sport are you most looking forward to? Who are some of your favorite athletes, and do you follow any of them on Instagram? Who would you add to this list? Share your suggestions in the comments section below!