Coming off a thrilling 2024 Paris Olympics that showcased both legends and breakout stars, the road to Los Angeles is already heating up. In just a few years, familiar faces could return to cement dynasties — while a new generation looks ready to take over the global stage.

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could see a true changing-of-the-guard, especially in gymnastics and swimming. And adding new events like flag football, lacrosse, and cricket leaves more room for elite stars to make a name for themselves and their country, including the Stars and Stripes. 

As we transition toward the Los Angeles hype, here are some of the top athletes to watch at the 2028 Olympics.

Writer’s note: This list focuses more on established stars and medal favorites than potential breakout names.

Former No. 1 overall WNBA draft pick Caitlin Clark narrowly missed out on the Paris Olympics team despite being fresh out of college and having very little pro ball experience under her belt. Nowadays, her meteoric rise has led to her becoming the face of the league — and women’s sports as a whole — and has her on track for a spot on the 2028 roster. As the women’s basketball game continues to expand globally, it's become much more critical for the U.S. to have all its best players available. Clark is a natural-born shooter and will certainly cause plenty of problems for any opposition. 

The Paris Games felt like a farewell tour for the LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant era. If Team USA is turning the page, Edwards looks like the centerpiece of the next chapter. Still only 24, the Timberwolves star has established himself as one of the best NBA players over the past few seasons. Edwards is also no stranger to international ball after winning gold with the U.S. in Paris. It still depends on who the U.S. selects for its 2028 roster, but expect "Ant-Man" to step into a leadership role and serve as the team’s greatest threat.

Speaking of NBA stars, Victor Wembanyama is very much in the “Top Three” conversation for the current best NBA players. The superstar was instrumental in taking his home country, France, all the way to a silver-medal finish at the Paris Games. Injuries have plagued Wemby in recent memory, but if he can stay healthy in two years and get more help alongside him, it would be no surprise for France to make another deep run with him leading the charge.

Gold medals and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone have become almost synonymous. Already one of the most dominant track athletes of her generation, she continues to redefine what’s possible in the 400m hurdles and beyond. Away from the track, the American track star announced she and her husband are expecting their first child together. Without a doubt, it’ll be an exciting few years ahead for the McLaughlin-Levrone family. If she chooses to return to the track in time for Los Angeles, every single eye in the stands will be placed on the American.

Speed is a box-office attraction, and Noah Lyles is track and field’s main character. After contracting COVID-19, Noah Lyles’ time in Paris was shortened. He was still able to walk away with two medals — gold in the 100m and bronze in the 200m. Since then, he has become a well-known figure in the sports and pop culture world, further cementing his highly rated status ahead of 2028. With no signs of slowing down anytime soon, Lyles is on track to once again prove he is indeed the fastest man alive.

It was Mondo’s mundo in 2024, and we were just living in it. The two-time Olympic gold medalist turned pole vault into a primetime event, and why should we not expect it to happen again in 2028? Representing Sweden, Duplantis is one of the many international athletes ready to bring their flair to the U.S. While the stadium will be busy with various track and field events, it won’t be hard for fans to know when to turn their attention to Duplantis.

Katie Ledecky is the most decorated female athlete in Olympic history with nine gold medals, four silver and one bronze. The fact she's entering her early 30s adds an extra layer of intrigue to her 2028 outlook. The question isn’t whether she’s still elite — it’s how many chapters she wants to add to an already legendary career. Ledecky herself said she wants to compete at the next Olympics, but will approach her decision on a year-by-year basis. She will instantly be considered a gold medal favorite should she be in the pool in 2028.

Is this the Olympics that Leon Marchand makes a case for himself as swimming's GOAT? It’s certainly in the cards for the young Frenchman. After making an absolute splash in Paris by winning four gold medals and one bronze in his Olympic debut, the only way to top that is by racking up more gold medals. Yes, Michael Phelps currently holds the honor as the greatest swimmer ever, but there will be plenty of speculation about Marchand potentially reaching that status if he once again dominates in the pool.

While we’re on the topic of seeing the new guard potentially taking over in Los Angeles, let’s throw Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh into the fold. The 19-year-old turned heads at the 2024 Olympics by capturing three gold medals and one silver. She was 17 at the time and will still only be 21 when the next Games roll around. Her fearless performances against veterans in Paris proved she belongs at the top of the sport. With another Olympic cycle of development, L.A. could be the moment where McIntosh fully takes control of women’s swimming.

It's hard to believe Carlos Alcarez is only 22 years old with the number of championships he has won in his career — Australian Open, French Open, U.S. Open and Wimbledon. He came close to winning his first Olympic gold medal but fell to veteran star Novak Djokovic in the singles final in Paris. Alacarez has only gotten better since, and with Djokovic's status unknown for L.A., is it time for the Spanish phenom to get his hands on another title?

Young American star Coco Gauff left Paris without a medal in her Olympic debut, but don’t let that fool you. The 21-year-old won the U.S. Open and French Open and became an elite tennis player. Playing in front of a home crowd in L.A. could be the emotional edge she didn’t have in Paris. With her star power, athleticism and mental toughness, a second time might be the charm for Gauff to claim her first Olympic medal.

The queen of gymnastics. That’s all that has to be said for Simone Biles. She is the most decorated Olympic gymnast and proved in Paris that she is still the best when she’s on top of her game. Whether Biles chooses to compete in 2028 remains one of the biggest questions heading into L.A. But if she does, her presence alone will turn gymnastics into one of the most electric events of the Games. In a city built for stars, Biles returning for one more Olympic run would feel like a cinematic ending to an already iconic career.

Hezly Rivera, the youngest of the "Golden Girls," was 15 years old when she won gold in the gymnastics team event at Paris. If the sport is entering a changing of the guard for Team USA, Rivera’s poise under pressure and fearless skillset make her the frontrunner to carry the torch forward. By the time the spotlight hits the City of Angels, she’ll be 20 years old with a chance to transform early promise into full-blown stardom. 

Flag football will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles Games, and NFL players have been expressing their excitement about the possibility of competing for a gold medal. One of those players is Super Bowl champion and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. He’s actually already been involved with Olympic flag football after serving as a global ambassador for the sport and being part of a promotional video. The NFL already ruled on letting its players compete in the Games, and Jalen Hurts is a top candidate to represent Team USA.

In January 2026, Trinity Rodman became the highest-paid female soccer player in the world after signing a $2 million contract with the Washington Spirit. This instantly puts eyes, and maybe pressure, on her when she suits up for the USWNT at the L.A. Olympics. Already established as one of the world’s best wingers and having won a gold medal in Paris, Rodman will be one of the top stars for the U.S., which is steadily reclaiming its status as a dynasty in women’s soccer.