Team Guam's 8 Olympians are each distinguished champions, and now face world-class competition in Paris. And we're ready. This year's games are historic in a variety of ways as we head to northern France.

Our Olympic team's most-experienced international competitor is our first three-time female Olympian, Regine Tugade. She's coming off a multi-medal winning performance in the Micronesian Games, Oceania Championships and Pacific Games. The former JFK star and Naval Academy graduate is preparing for her best event, the 100-meter sprint.

And that race is the same that her track teammate Joseph Green is running. Yigo born and FD bred, our sole male athlete recently graduated from the U of Arizona, where he ran for the Wildcats. He was our last athlete to be confirmed on Team Guam.

2024 also sees the first siblings to qualify on merit packing for Paris, as wrestling sisters Rckaela and Mia-Lahnee Aquino punched their tickets in Egypt 3 months ago. Kaela's a two-time Olympian and was our flag-bearer in the closing ceremonies of the Tokyo Games.

Out on the water, Guam's first female canoe competitor is Raina Taitingfong, being in her natural environment, as she works for Fish & Wildlife. She's only the second athlete we've sent for canoeing, following legendary Beijing Olympian Sean Pangelinan.

Ranked 139th in the world, 32-year-old Manami Iijima debuts as our first Olympic triathlete. The triple-threat St. John's grad competes on the pro level and holds multiple regional records, including her gold medal in the 2022 Pacific Mini Games.

Next, there's no detail Nicola Lagatao leaves to chance, and it's paid off. Our star weightlifter swept gold medals in the Oceanias, Pacific Games and Mini Games. She's laser-focused, and looks to continue her success on the biggest stage.

Finally, Maria Escano takes the judo mat as our that sports sixth-ever Olympian for Team Guam, and our first female. The 22-year-old's completing her studies at Sendai University in Japan, supports Special Olympics Guam and follows in the tradition set by our judokas in Guam's first Olympics in Seoul in 1988.

So to all our Olympians – Regine, Joey, Raina, Kayla, Mia, Maria, Nic and Manami – we're all behind you all the way. We'll be looking for you in the Opening Ceremonies on July 27th, streaming all your events, and cheering you on like crazy. YOU ARE OUR BEST. This is what you've worked all your lives for.

Fight for 671, represent Hafa Adai, have fun, and in every moment...we're proud of you!