The Land of Enchantment produces top-notch athletes and is known as an excellent training ground due to the weather and high altitude.

Qualifying for the Olympics is an incredibly challenging process that demands peak physical condition, mental toughness, and years of dedication. Athletes must often surpass national trials and meet strict international standards set by their sport's governing bodies. The competition is fierce, with only the top performers from each country earning a spot. This often requires achieving specific qualifying times, scores, or rankings in sanctioned events leading up to the Games. The journey to the Olympics is not just about natural talent; it requires relentless training, exceptional performance under pressure, and overcoming numerous obstacles and setbacks.

The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris: Friday, July 26th - Sunday, August 11th

New Mexicans Participating in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris

Mariah Duran
Skateboarding - Albuquerque, NM

For this 27-year-old, Paris will be her second Olympics as she competed in Tokoyo where she finished 13th. Mariah began skateboarding at 10 and entered her first competition at 13. In 2018, Duran won her first gold medal at X Games Minneapolis in the women's skateboarding street competition.

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Chase Jackson
Track & Field - Los Alamos, NM/Oklahoma State U

 Chase specializes in throwing events and is the two-time World Shotput Champion.  Paris will be her first Olympics at the age of 30, but has competed internationally since 2013.  

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Paris Olympians/Paralympians with Albuquerque Connections

• Nia Atkins, Track and Field (USA), 800m, trains in ABQ
• Manon De Roey, Golf (Begium), UNM Alumn
• Gavin Green, Golf (Malaysia), UNM Alumn
• Weini Kelati, Track and Field (USA), 10,000m, UNM Alumn
• Josh Kerr, Track and Field (Great Britain), 1,500M, UNM Alumn and trains in ABQ
• Alicja Konieczek , Track and Field (Poland), 3,000 Steeplechase,  trains in ABQ
• Anika Newell, Pole Vault (Canada), 2016  Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro & 2020 in Tokoyo,  grew up in ABQ and is a dual citizen
• Brandon Miller, Track and Field (USA), 800m, trains in ABQ
• Victor Perez, Golf (France),  UNM Alumn 
• Kevon Williams, Rugby, NM Highlands Alumn

Former Olympians/Paralympians from Albuquerque

• Anika Apostalon, Swimming (Czech Republic), 2020 Olympic Games in Tokoyo
• Andrea Howard, Softball (Italy), 2020 Olympic Games in Tokoyo
• Nick Slade,  Track and Field, 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janero
• Jillian Potter,  Rugby, 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro
• Joseph Hagerty,  Gymnastics, Bronze in 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing
• Trent Dimas, Gymnastics, Gold in 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona
• Cathy Carr, Swimming, 2x Gold in 1972 Olympic Games in Munich

• Patrick Young, USA Men's Sitting Volleyball National Team Roster, Albuqurque, NM, Cibola HS