The Olympics is a special event that we only get every few years. It's where the best of the best go toe-to-toe to bring honor to their home country. Most of the year, I don't really care about competitive diving, but once the Summer Olympics come around, I suddenly become the biggest cheerleader of the U.S. athletes.

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The 2021 Summer Olympics will be back on our television screens this week. After the coronavirus pandemic forced Olympic officials to postpone the games a year, we'll finally get to see the world's greatest show of athleticism kick off on July 23rd.

Karissa Schweizer is an Urbandale native who went to the University of Missouri. She was a part of their track and cross-country team.

Schweizer is only the second Iowa woman to double qualify for the Olympics. She qualified for both the women's 5K and 10K, so she will be heading to Tokyo with two goals on her mind.

 

Another Iowa native heading for Tokyo is Thomas Gilman He is an alumnus of the University of Iowa, so he is a Hawkeye at heart. He is originally from Council Bluffs Iowa and was one of the top wrestlers in the NCAA and Big Ten during his college days. Gilman is a three-time All-American and a World Silver Metalist.

The Hawkeye will be competing in Freestyle Wrestling on Team USA in Tokyo this month.

LOOK: 50 images of winning moments from sports history

Sometimes images are the best way to honor the figures we've lost. When tragedy swiftly reminds us that sports are far from the most consequential thing in life, we can still look back on an athlete's winning moment that felt larger than life, remaining grateful for their sacrifice on the court and bringing joy to millions.

Read on to explore the full collection of 50 images Stacker compiled showcasing various iconic winning moments in sports history. Covering achievements from a multitude of sports, these images represent stunning personal achievements, team championships, and athletic perseverance.

Iowa Born Sports Stars

What do each of these stellar athletes have in common? They all hail from the Hawkeye State.

 

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