West Virginia may not be the first state that comes to mind when thinking about Olympic champions, but it has produced (or been associated with, courtesy of time spent at West Virginia University) a number of incredibly talented athletes who have represented the Mountain State on the world stage. In fact, I was surprised by just how many Olympians are from (or have ties to) wild, wonderful West Virginia.

1. Mary Lou Retton

One of the most famous Olympians from West Virginia is Mary Lou Retton. Born and raised in Fairmont, West Virginia, Retton became a household name after winning the all-around gold medal in gymnastics at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles (she was the first US woman ever to do so!). She captivated the nation with her charismatic personality and incredible athleticism.

2. Randy Barnes

Another West Virginia native (born in Charleston and raised in St Albans) who achieved Olympic glory is Randy Barnes, who won a gold medal in the shot put at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta (he won silver in 1988). Barnes was known for his incredible strength and was a dominating force in the sport during his career. In fact, he held the world record for shot put until 2021!

3. Mary Tucker

Mary Tucker, a rifle shooter from West Virginia University, made history at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo when she won the silver medal in the women's 10m air rifle event. Tucker's precision and skill on the shooting range have solidified her status as one of the top shooters in the world.

4. Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawerence

West Virginia University Mountaineers Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence helped the Canadian Women's Soccer Team medal in both the 2016 and 2020 Olympics.

5. Ginny Thrasher

Riffle shooter and WVU student Ginny Thrasher won the first gold medal awarded at the 2016 Olympics -- which was her very first international competition!

6. Jerry West

Jerry West, born in Chelyan, West Virginia, was the co-captain of the 1960 U.S. Olympic gold medal team, which was later inducted as a unit into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

7. Ivan Puskovitch

Ivan Puskovitch is the first athlete from the West Virginia University Swimming and Diving program to qualify for the Olympic Games. He's heading to Paris for the Summer 2024 Olympics -- don't miss the chance to cheer him on!

In addition to these athletes, West Virginia University has produced other Olympic medalists such as Nicco Campriani, Jack Writer, Mike Anti, and Ed Etzel in rifle shooting, James Jett in track and field, Jeremy Cummings in baseball, and Nate Carr in wrestling, just to name a few. West Virginia has a proud history of producing talented athletes who have excelled on the Olympic stage. These Olympians from West Virginia have inspired future generations of athletes in the state and beyond. Their dedication, hard work, and passion for their sport have helped put West Virginia on the map as a powerhouse in the world of athletics. Just one more reason to love Almost Heaven!