Olympics and Philadelphia

As the Olympics are arriving in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in a little less than a month, Philly has a lot to look forward to.

By Mikaila Skaroff, Global Philadelphia Alumni

As the Olympics are arriving in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in a little less than a month, Philly has a lot to look forward to.

For one, there are twenty-six athletes from Pennsylvania heading to the Olympics in August, with a lot of Philadelphia representation in particular. Samantha Wright, a member of the USA Weightlifting team, is from Philadelphia. This will be Samantha’s first time at the Olympics on the Performance One team. In addition, the former Eagles quarterback, Randall Cunningham’s, daughter, Vashti, will be representing Team USA in Track and Field. Both Nia Ali and Taylor Ellis-Watson, Philadelphia natives, will be competing for the U.S. in Track and Field as well. Kyle Lowry will be playing for Team USA in Basketball and is also from Philadelphia. And lastly, Glenn Ochal, from Philadelphia, will be rowing for Team USA in Rio this August.

 Even further, the “unisuit” designed by Philadelphia University textile engineer Mark A. Sunderland, will be worn by Team USA and other athletes at Rio this August. The North Philadelphia-based company, Boathouse, will be supplying Team USA rowers with the new suits as part of their apparel package. Boathouse is the official outfitter for the U.S. rowing team, and the founder, John M. Strotbeck, rowed for the United States in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. Each rowing “unisuit” is custom made to fit the specific athlete’s body, are virtually seamless, and conform to the athletes perfectly. Boathouse will begin selling the suits commercially in the fall after the Olympics conclude.
 Overall, August will be an exciting time for both Philadelphia and the world. As a global city, we will be looking to Rio to see the action to come.