We are counting down the days until the Olympics (finally) begin. It feels like we've had to wait even longer than 4 years, oh wait we have. And while it's always fun to cheer on the entirety of Team USA sometimes it's fun to narrow it down a little with specific athletes to support. And lucky for all of us, both North and South Carolina are well represented in Tokyo. What did we count as "local Olympians"? We wanted to give credit to as many talented individuals as possible. Therefore anyone who was born in, credits a hometown in, attended college, or currently trains in the Carolinas made the cut.  So without further ado let's meet your North Carolina and South Carolina Olympic Athletes!

Sport: Basketball

Local Tie: Bam grew up in High Point, NC, and attended High Point Christian Academy where he graduated in 2016. He went on to play basketball at the University of Kentucky and currently plays for the Miami Heat.

Sport: Track and Field

Local Ties: Paul Chelimo was born in Kenya but he attended college at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he graduated in 2013.

Sport: Soccer

Local Ties: Crystal Dunn attended UNC-Chapel Hill and currently plays soccer in NC for North Carolina Courage.

Sport: Baseball

Position: Catcher

Local Ties: Tim Federowicz attended UNC-Chapel Hill where he played baseball.

Sport: Boxing

Local Ties: Naomi is from Fayetteville, NC

Sport: Basketball

Local Ties: Chelsea Gray attended Duke University where she played basketball.

Sport: Basketball

Local Ties: Allisha was born in Greenwood, SC and attended the University of South Carolina.

Sport: Track and Field

Local Ties: Keni Harrison is a native of Clayton, NC

Sport: Track and Field

Local Ties: Quanera is from Hope Mills, NC and attended Livingstone College in Salisbury.

Sport: Soccer

Local Ties: Tobin played soccer at the University of North Carolina

Sport: Cycling

Local Ties: Adrian currently resides part-time in Asheville, NC.

Sport: Shooting/Rifle Shooting

Local Ties: Lucas Graduated from NC State University in 2017

Sport: American Canoe- Kayak Slalom, Canoe Slalom

Local Ties: Evy is from Bryson City, NC, and will be attending Davidson College.

Sport: Basketball

Local Ties: Khris is from Charleston, SC

Sport: Track and Field- Pole Vault

Local Ties: Sandi is from Greenville, SC

Sport: Equestrian Eventing

Local Ties: Doug Pain is from Aiken, SC

Sport: Triathalon

Local Ties: Summer currently resides in Durham, NC

Sport: Track and Field Shotput

Local Ties: Raven is from Charleston, SC

Sport: Swimming

Local Ties: Andrew was born in Charlotte.

Sport: Track and Field

Local Ties: Kenny attended the University of North Carolina

Sport: American Canoe

Local Ties: Michael is from Charlotte and attended Belmont Abbey College

Sport: Equestrian

Local Ties: Jessica attended Duke University (she's also the daughter of Bruce Springsteen!)

Sport: Wrestling

Local Ties: John's hometown is Jacksonville, NC

Sport: Track and Field

Local Ties: Trevor attended NC A&T University

Sport: Rugby

Local Ties: Naya was born in Beaufort, SC. She grew up in Charlotte where she graduated from West Charlotte High School and went on to attend the University of North Carolina.

Sport: Basketball

Local Ties: Jayson played basketball at Duke.

Sport: Rifle Shooting

Local Ties: Mary was born in Pineville, NC

Sport: Swimming

Local Ties: Ashley graduated from Duke University in 2011

Sport: Basketball

Local Ties: A'ja was born and raised in Columbia, SC, and attended the University of South Carolina

Sport: Triathalon

Local Ties: Katie currently resides in Cary, NC

Congratulations to all of our North Carolina and South Carolina Olympic Athletes. We cannot wait to cheer you and the rest of Team USA on!

For a full list of Team USA members visit TeamUSA.com