Rio Olympics 2016: 5 Most-Talked About Athletes During This Year's Games [VIDEO]
The Olympics are almost done in Rio and it's going to be another four years before we see the world's best athletes take to the track, pool, beach and other courts in Tokyo, but some athletes made quite an impression during their events at the 2016 games.
While athletes from all countries wowed across the board, and the volume of romantic proposals upped the romance factor, five names seemed to stick out more than the rest these games. Here are the five athletes no one could get enough of:
Simone Biles
Who wasn't wowed, impressed, or awed by the American gymnast who seemed to sweep the competition? Along with fellow topics of talk Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian-a.k.a. The Final Five-the U.S. took home the gold medal for women's all-around gold in gymnastics. But Biles also managed to bring home gold in the vault, floor-exercise and individual all-around, as well as a bronze in the beam. Her bubbly personality in interviews only added to her charm, and we couldn't get enough of her.
Michael Phelps
Of course Michael Phelps is no one new to the Olympic scene, and certainly not someone who doesn't get the spotlight thrown on him. However, Rio was even bigger for the swimming star, because not only was it the first time his son, Boomer, was able to watch him compete (and win an impressive five gold and 1 silver medal to up his total count since his debut in 2004 to 28), but it was also the last time Phelps is competing, as he plans to retire and not compete in Tokyo.
Brianna Rollins, Nia Ali, Kristi Castlin
These three women made history while competing in the women's 100m hurdles by sweeping the entire event for the U.S., the first time it has been done in the event's history. Rollins took the gold, Ali snagged silver, and Castlin squeezed past the other competitors to grab bronze.
Usain Bolt
Another legendary athlete, he exploded in 2008 in Beijing, winning three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4 x 100 meter relays. He repeated this again in 2012 in London. And So far, in addition to being caught on camera having fun as he won his events, he's on track for a three-peat in what he too has said will be his final Games.
Ryan Lochte
Unfortunately, Ryan Lochte was not necessarily talked about for his athletic achievements these games, despite taking home a gold in the 4 x200 relay. Lochte's claims that he and three other U.S. swimmers were robbed at gunpoint last week shocked the world, but the news that he made up the story and the four were actually involved in a situation with a security guard (and not robbed) after damaging a bathroom door at a gas station, has led to much more scrutiny for the star. It is still unclear if Brazilian officials will charge him with any crimes for falsifying the story.
