Good morning, Chicago. Olympic Triple jumper Tori Franklin of Chicago hopes to ride a barge down the Seine River during the opening ceremony and venture outside the athlete’s village to watch a fencing competition. Orland Park native Evita Griskenas, a rhythmic gymnast, wants to share a meal with athletes from other sports without plexiglass separating them.
BMX racer Felicia Stancil of Lake Villa looks forward to competing on a familiar track. Wilmette native Maggie Shea, a top-ranked sailor, plans to march in the closing ceremony after her event. And we are excited to tell their stories — on and off the field of play — from Paris as we cover the Summer Games.
We will be following the nearly three dozen Illinois athletes named to the U.S. team, including 18 competitors making their Olympic debuts.
— Griskenas, Franklin, Shea and Stancil — who are looking for Paris to give them the typical Olympic experience they missed out on during the COVID-hobbled Tokyo Games. You can find the latest coverage on our and by following us on social. Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.
| | President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the airport in Atlanta following his debate with former President Donald Trump on June 27, 2024. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times) Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office jus.
