17 Latino Athletes to Watch at Rio 2016

The team that won gold in Beijing 2008 and London 2012 is going to try to do it again. Though the team is extremely talented, anything can happen!

The Mexican diver and Pan American champion has two chances for gold, competing solo and in synchronized diving with partner Alejandra Orozco.

The Colombian "queen of BMX" is heading to Rio to defend her London gold medal — the second time ever her birth country won top prize at the Olympics. Her many fans back in Medellin are eagerly expecting her to come home with another win.

The second generation Puerto Rican is headed to Rio as part of the gymnastics team aiming to land gold. She is the first Latina to make it onto team USA since 1984 and the youngest gymnast in the group heading to Brazil.

The two-time winning wrestler is hoping for a third championship — and chances are he will take it.

Shooting might not be a sport you often look for at the Olympics, but this 51-year-old will make you tune in. Pancho took gold at the Pan American Games and is set to repeat the feat in Rio.

You might have never heard of pentathlon — that's fencing, freestyle swimming, show jumping, shooting, and cross-country running — but this year, you should pay attention. Brazilian-born Yane is a favorite to take the first spot.

The only representative for Puerto Rico at Rio 2016, the 22-year-old tennis pro is 36th in the world and is making her first-ever Olympics appearance.

The Barcelona soccer player skipped the Copa América Centenario in order to prevent any injury. Now, with all eyes on him and the expectation that he'll guide Brazil to its first gold medal for men's soccer, the pressure is on.

The Colombian, a London 2012 silver medalist in triple jump, is the current world champion and favorite for gold.

After a devastating defeat at Copa América Centenario just a few weeks ago — Chile beat the team 7-0 in the quarterfinal — can the Mexican soccer team make amends by keeping its title as Olympic champion? Everyone is at the edge of their seats.

Guatemalans have all their positive thoughts centered on racewalker Erick Barrondo, who took silver in 2012 — the first medal ever for the country. This time, everyone wants gold.

The South American racewalker has never taken an Olympic medal, but he might change that this year.

After a doping scandal at the Pan American Games in Toronto last year that led to her gold medal being taken away, the marathoner almost didn't make it into the Olympics due to a six-month suspension. As one of the fastest runners heading to Rio, this might be her chance for redemption.

The judo heavyweight is defending her title, but she'll have to get past favorites Song Yu of China and Maria Altheman from Brazil.

The épée fencer was the first Latino to take gold in his category in 108 years when he took first place at London 2012. Being elected to carry the Venezuelan flag during the opening ceremony of the games at Rio, his country's hopes are certainly on a repeat win.

The Dominican sprinter and 2012 silver medalist is so fast, but he scored 10th in the World Championship in China last year.