Before Olympians were Olympians, they were cute kids like the rest of us. Even at just a few feet tall, some of them were already grooming to be the medalists they are today.
We're taking a trip back in time to honor the women and men who are impressing the world one event at a time this year at the 2016 Olympic games. Here's our Throwback Thursday: Olympian edition.
SEE ALSO:We asked an Olympian what it's like to spend 4 years training for RioNow, swimmer Ryan Lochte making headlines for his green hair (and his gold medal from the 4x200 meter freestyle relay), but back in the day Ryan Lochte could also rock a mean dancing suit.
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Michael Phelps isn't one to post many #TBT pics of himself on the 'gram, but that doesn't mean we can't dig some up. The most decorated gold medalist in the games held the world record for the men's 200-meter butterfly in 2001. Looks like things haven't changed all too much.
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESSShe's one of the fastest people in the world as a 2012 Olympic champion and world record holder. But back in the day, Allyson Felix was made fun of her skinny legs. "Now, those same legs help me break records," she wrote on Instagram in a throwback image. Show them who's boss, Allyson. Oh, and her baby picture with her brother is adorable too.
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When Hope Solo was 12 years old, her parents asked her to stop playing soccer because of finances. The goalkeeper refused—and now, she's one of the best in the world and has Olympic medals AND a World Cup medal to show off, reminding us all to never give up on our dreams.
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They are probably the most discussed people at this year's Olympic games, and for good reason. The five gymnasts who make up this year's squad are young and powerful in their events. So far, they've already collected one gold medal, and all eyes are peeled for what comes next for these women.
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Ibtihaj Muhammad made headlines as the first hijab wearing Muslim-American woman to compete for the United States in the Olympic games. The fencer was defeated in the second round of Women’s Individual Sabre, but we're still cheering her on and looking forward to what's next for the incredible athlete.
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If you don't know Usain Bolt, you might at least be familiar with his famous move at the end of races. He's the world's fastest human and has been competing for a long time, and rose to prominence at the age of 15 when he won the 200 meter at 2002 World Juniors Championships.
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People are calling her the next Michael Phelps, which was pretty ironic considering the Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky met Phelps ten years ago at the age of nine. Now she's competing on the same international stage as him, and already has three gold medals to her name during this year's games. Watch out, Phelps. Ledecky's coming for your record.
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You might remember Missy Franklin from the last Olympic games. The swimmer is back this year and already has a gold medal from the women's 4x200 meter freestyle relay. She collected four gold medal during the 2012 games, so we'll be cheering her on as she hopefully makes history once again.
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Remember the athlete that predicted her Olympic spot years ago? That's runner Morolake Akinosun. She'll be participating in the women's 4x100 meter relay for the U.S. and hopefully will be predicting a medal too.
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April Ross will be playing alongside Kerri Walsh Jennings, and the two beach volleyball stars are quickly moving up the ranks in this year's games.
"Back then I was just a young girl playing pepper and running sprints in my backyard in California..." she wrote on Instagram, "I couldn’t imagine that one day I would be going around the world to play."
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Paul George may need a reminder that he's not in America for the Olympics, but he still should be celebrated. The Team USA basketball player has a couple cute #tbt posts in his Instagram, reminding us where he came from.
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TopicsOlympics
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