Dear Fellow Marylanders,

There is something special about the Summer Olympics. For two weeks, every four years, the world comes together to compete at the highest levels in an incredible array of sports. From swimming and track and field to equestrian and water polo – even break dancing, shooting and surfing – the competition is fierce, but typically, so are the scenes of sportsmanship, civility and sheer joy.

I love the way the Olympics bring with them a magnetism that is unmatched. Without a doubt, the Senate isn’t the only office where most televisions have shifted from cable news to whatever channel is broadcasting the latest midday gymnastics or track event. How could you not be glued to the screen Thursday as Maryland’s Kevin Durant and the American men’s basketball team charged back from a 17-point deficit to a five-point win over Serbia and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic? Steph Curry and the whole team were magical.

These moments keep us on the edge of our seats and make the Olympics unforgettable. Anytime Simone Biles and the entire American gymnastics team – men and women – started their routines, I was one of millions who were transfixed.

At the very moment a high jumper leaps in the air or a runner wins by a fraction of a second, we are not Democrats or Republicans. We are Americans cheering on a fellow countryman or countrywoman. Together, we experience the highs of capturing the gold, silver or bronze, and the heartbreak of missing medal podium altogether. We yearn to learn the backstories of the American athletes and understand the journey they took to Paris and representing our country at the Olympics.

The United States of America sent 594 athletes to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Twenty-nine of them were Marylanders. Not everyone came away with a medal, or even a spotlight, but we are proud of every one.

Here is a sample of what some of our Marylanders have been able to accomplish.   

Katie Ledecky of Bethesda, who now has earned 14 Olympic medals, is now the most decorated female Olympian in U.S. history – in any sport. Katie won silver in the 4×200 m Freestyle Relay, dominated the 1500m freestyle, won the gold in 800m freestyle and bronze in the 400m freestyle.  

Fellow alumnae of Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, Phoebe Bacon of Chevy Chase and Erin Gemmell of Potomac, also were competing in Paris. Bacon just missed the podium in the 200m backstroke and Gemmell placed silver in the 4x200m Freestyle Relay with Katie.

In addition to Kevin Durant of Suitland, Alyssa Thomas is playing for USA Basketball. She is from the University of Maryland and a 10-year veteran of the WNBA. Speaking of the University of Maryland, there were six Terps – six! – on the Women’s Field Hockey Team. And Thea LaFond of Silver Spring, also a Terp, won Dominica’s first gold medal EVER in the Triple Jump. She’s also a product of Montgomery County Public Schools.

On Friday, Aaron Brooks of Hagerstown won his Bronze-Medal match in the 86kg (189 lbs.) weight class for wrestling. Helen Maroulis of Rockville also won her Bronze-Medal wrestling match (57kg/125lbs.), making her the first-ever American to win three Olympic medals in women’s wrestling. Also on Friday, Aaron Russell of Ellicott City and the Team USA men’s volleyball team won their Bronze-Medal match against Italy.

Young Quincy Wilson of Potomac, the youngest Maryland Olympian and youngest American male to compete in track at age 16, had a rough start but was part of the American 4×400 relay team that advanced to the finals, which will take place Saturday. Ruby Lilley of Ocean City, age 17, was the youngest among Maryland women to compete in Paris. Unfortunately, she did not make the skateboarding finals, but the entire Eastern Shore was cheering this young athlete on through every jump, run and flip.

Also on Saturday, tune in to watch Masai Russell of Potomac in the hurdles final and Juliette Whittaker of Laurel, who will compete in the 800m track final. Competitions continue through this weekend, until the closing ceremony Sunday.

Do you have a favorite moment from the Paris Olympics? I’d love to hear about it. Please feel free to reply to this email with your observations from the Summer Olympics, or any topic. I appreciate all of the feedback we receive from Marylanders across the state.

Thank you for your time. Enjoy the games and the week ahead.

In solidarity,

Ben Cardin