They've put in innumerable hours of sweat, blood and tears to get where they are today.

In just a few days, 529 athletes will represent the United States at the Olympic Games in London, competing in events as diverse as track and field (athletics), sailing, kayaking and gymnastics.

There are 14 U.S. Olympic Team members from Virginia, 12 from Maryland and several athletes from D.C.'s professional sports in London now.

Washington Mystics assistant coach Jennifer Gillom will be on the sidelines with the U.S. women’s basketball team. 

Defender Becky Sauerbraunn of the D.C. United women's team is with the U.S. soccer squad in London. 

D.C. United midfielder Andy Najar, a former Edison High School standout, was named to the Honduran national soccer team that qualified for a third straight summer games. 

Washington Wizards big men Kevin Seraphin and Nene will be competing for France and Brazil, respectively.

Athletes from Northern Virginia

Terrence Jennings 
Sex : Male 
Taekwondo
Event / position / class : 68kg
Age : 25
From : Alexandria

See: T.C. William Grad Heads to the Olympics

Giuseppe Lanzone
Sex : Male
Rowing
Event / position / class : Eight
Age : 29
From : Annandale

See: Annandale's Guiseppe Lanzone Selected for U.S. Olympic Team

Kate Ziegler
Sex: Female
Swimming 
Event / position / class : 800m free
Age: 24
From: Great Falls 

See: Great Falls' Ziegler Makes Olympic Team 

Claire Laubach
Sex: Female
Field Hockey
Event / position / class : Defense
Age: 28 (she'll turn 29 on July 29)
From: Bristow 

Matt McLean
Sex: Male
Swimming
Event / position / class : 800m free relay
Age: 24
From: Stering 

Also from Virginia:

• T'erea Brown, Hampton, 400m hurdles
• Francena McCorory, Hampton, the 400m 
• William  Coleman, Hampton, equestrian eventing
• Gabrielle Douglas, Virginia Beach, gymnastics
• LaShawn Merritt, Portsmouth, the 400 m
• Caroline Nichols, Virginia Beach, field hockey
• Reid Priddy, Richmond, volleyball
• Shannon Taylor, Midlothian, field hockey
• Kellie Wells, Richmond, 100m hurdles

Athletes from Maryland

David Banks
Sex: Male
Rowing
Event / position / class : Eight
Age: 29
From: Potomac

Katie Ledecky
Sex: Female
Swimming
Event / position / class : 800m free
Age: 15
From: Bethesda

Scott Parsons
Sex: Male
Canoe/Kayak
Event / position / class : kayak slalom K1
Age: 33
From: Bethesda 

Caroline Queen
Sex: Female
Canoe/Kayak
Event / position / class : kayak slalom K1
Age: 20
From: Darnestown 

See: Bethesda, Darnestown Kayakers Earn Olympic Posts

Julie Zetlin
Sex: Female
Gymnastics
Event / position / class : rhythmic, all-around
Age: 22
From: Bethesda

Also from Maryland: 

• Carmelo Anthony, Baltimore, basketball
• Matthew Centrowitz, Arnold, 1500m
• Kevin Durant, Suitland, basketball
• Farrah Hall, Annapolis, sailing
• Angel McCoughtry, Baltimore, basketball 
• Michael Phelps, Baltimore, swimming
• Suzanne Stettinius, Parkton, pentathlon 

Looking for a way to celebrate the Olympics locally? You can find local events for Olympic Fun Day on July 28 on the Let’s Move website, which has a page about how to set up your own local Olympics. 

Also check out our Directory and Events Calendar for listings of places where you can learn and participate in Olympic sports ranging from basketball to karate, gymnastics, swimming and more.