America’s Olympic Team will compete in Brazil with more women than any nation in the game’s history, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has announced.
During an event in LA, the USOC that out of its 555 athletes competing 292 are women. The new record tops that of China, which competed with 289 women in 2008.
The news marks the second time that the US team has competed in the Olympics with more women than men.
USOC CEO Scott Blackmun, said: “I am especially excited for the historic achievement of our women’s delegation, which is a true testament to the strength and growing number of women’s sport opportunities in the United States.”
Track and field star Allyson Felix will return for her fourth Olympic appearance. She is the team’s most decorated athlete with four gold medals and six overall.
Also in their fourth appearance are Serena and Venus Williams who are aim to match the Olympic record for overall medals in tennis, which currently stands at five.
The US women’s basketball team is also seeking a record, aiming for a sixth consecutive gold medal. The women’s soccer team is aiming for its fourth consecutive gold medal.
The Games start 5 August with the opening ceremony at Rio’s Maracana Stadium.
