Local athletes succeed at 2016 Rio Olympics

PITTSBURGH — The 2016 Rio Olympics started off strong for athletes from the surrounding Pittsburgh area.

• VIDEO: Pittsburgh-area athletes succeed at 2016 Rio Games

Ginny Thrasher of West Virginia University won the first gold medal for Team USA in the 10-meter air rifle.

Mt. Lebanon’s Leah Smith brought home a gold medal alongside teammate Katie Ledecky in the 4x200-meter relay. Smith also brought home a bronze medal of her very own in the 400-meter freestyle.

Oakland Catholic’s rower Amanda Polk had a whole cheering section at the Bettis Grille 36 to cheer her and Team USA to gold. It was a victory that brought her to tears.

Mariel Zagunis’ grandmother was watching from Plum as she and the women’s fencing team brought home the bronze.

Penn State’s Joe Kovacs took home a silver medal in the shot put.

Hopewell’s Christa Dietzen helped lead the U.S. women’s volleyball team to a bronze medal in her last Olympic game.

Cox Media Group