Mayor's Press Release
City of Houston Joins Houston First Corp., and the Sports Community to Welcome Home the 2024 Local Olympians
August 20, 2024 -- The City of Houston is officially kicking off a citywide, months-long celebration to honor some of the incredible athletes returning from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
In collaboration with Houston First Corp., Harris County-Houston Sports Authority and the sports community, Houston will demonstrate its collective pride and excitement by hosting several events and festive celebrations to welcome home the athletes who competed on a global stage.
The campaign, "Welcome Home HOU," symbolizes the spirit and enthusiasm that fans across Houston felt as they watched their favorite Olympians compete on the global stage.
After taking part and, in some cases, winning gold, bronze, or silver medals, several Olympic athletes, our local heroes, recently received a hero’s welcome and were greeted by family, fans, and city representatives waving signs and cheering their return at Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Houston’s sports community - the Houston Dash, Houston Astros, and Houston Texans—along with the University of Houston and Rice University—have announced plans to salute these incredible athletes on their home turf.
The Mayor’s Office will carry the torch through Thanksgiving Day with an Olympic-themed parade honoring present and past individuals who have competed in the Olympics.
“I congratulate and welcome home the amazing men and women who represent Team USA. They made us proud as Americans and Houstonians as we watched them compete against some of the world’s greatest athletes. Whether or not they won a medal, they are winners to us, and that is why we will acknowledge their courage, character, sportsmanship, and perseverance,” said Mayor John Whitmire.
Schedule of Events
Houston Dash
Friday, August 23
Houston Dash at Shell Energy Stadium
Kick-off at 7 p.m.
The Houston Dash will recognize Houston’s Olympians, including members of the gold-medal U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, silver-medal Brazilian National Team, and Nigerian National Team. The recognition will take place during the Houston Dash's match against the Orlando Pride on Friday, August 23.
Tickets available for Houston Dash
Join the Houston Dash, the Houston’s only women’s professional team, in celebrating Houston’s Olympians, including members of the gold-medal U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, silver-medal Brazilian National Team and Nigerian National Team when the squad takes on the Orlando Pride. Help us welcome back and celebrate the Houstonians who represented their countries in Paris as well as some past-Olympic favorites from across sports, including 3-time Olympian Sheryl Swoopes.
Bring the family for all the fun!
Confirmed 2024 Olympians in Attendance:
USWNT: Gold Medal Women’s Soccer
- Emily Sams (Orlando Pride)
- Jane Campbell, Alternate (Houston Dash)
Brazil Women’s National Team: Silver Medal Women’s Soccer
- Tarciane (Houston Dash)
- Marta (Orlando Pride) 3X Silver Medalist Brazil National Team, 6X FIFA World Player of the Year
- Rafaelle Souza (Orlando Pride)
- Adriana (Orlando Pride)
- Angelina (Orlando Pride)
Nigeria Women’s National Team
- Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash)
Zambia Women’s National Team
- Grace Chanda (Orlando Pride)
Team 2024 Olympians
Track and Field:
- Shelby McEwen
- Tristan Evelyn
- Louie Hinchliffe
- Shawn Maswanganyi
Athletes who participated in past Olympics who are living in or from Houston.
- Sheryl Swoopes (3X Gold Medalist, USA Women’s Basketball)
- Lennie Waite (Steeplechase, Great Britain)
- Tara Cross-Battle (Volleyball)
- Tasha Schwikert (Gymnastics)
Saturday, August 24th
Houston Texans at NRG Park
Noon kick-off
The Houston Texans and McNair Family proudly welcome home our H-Town Olympians by inviting them to be a special part of the game on Saturday. This group will help fire up the fans to put their “H’s Up” on-field pregame before kick off against the Los Angeles Rams as a special congratulations for their incredible accomplishments on the world’s biggest stage in Paris.
Confirmed 2024 Olympians in Attendance:
- Joshua Edwards (Boxing)
- Michelle Alozie (Soccer)
- Avery Skinner (Volleyball)
- Jeffrey Louis (Break Dancing)
- Bryce Deadmon (Track & Field)
- Shelby McEwen (Track & Field)
Tuesday, September 14th
University of Houston vs Rice at TDECU Stadium
Kick-off at 7 p.m.
Tickets available for Houston vs. Rice
Seven current or former University of Houston athletes and coaches competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games – six as competitors and one as a coach – representing their countries at the highest stage this summer.
This marked Houston's largest delegation since the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games where the Cougars also sent seven representatives. Houston will be represented by six countries in Paris, with two representing Great Britain. The other countries represented by the Cougars are Barbados, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico and South Africa.
Participants:
- Tristan Evelyn, Track & Field, Team Barbados
- Louie Hinchliffe, Track & Field, Team Great Britain (Bronze (4x100 relay)
- Elizabeth Jimenez, Swimming, Team Dominican Republic
- Shaun Maswanganyi, Track & Field, Team South Africa (Silver (4x100 relay)
- Alondra Ortiz, Swimming, Team Costa Rica
- Cecilia Tamayo-Garza, Track & Field, Team Mexico
Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park
The Astros will honor and celebrate Houston’s Olympians from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in both a pregame ceremony and throughout the game.
*The date of the event and more information to follow soon.
City of Houston and HEB Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thursday, November 28
75th H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade
Celebrating Houston area Olympians and Paralympians
Downtown Houston
9 a.m.
General Admission: Free
Reserved Special Seating Tickets: www.houstontx.gov/thanksgivingparade
On Thanksgiving morning, thousands of Houstonians and visitors will line downtown streets as they have since 1949. The historic H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade will celebrate and recognize Houston’s iconic athletes that competed in the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. The parade will feature larger-than-life balloons, high stepping marching bands, creative floats. And unique performances for your entertainment.
Everyone is welcome to participate in celebrating Houston-area athletes who represented their nation in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The citywide commemoration is an opportunity to relive some of the most exciting moments of the games and to thank the athletes for representing the USA and their home countries with great athleticism, courage, and character.
The Welcome Home HOU website will be updated regularly with information about upcoming events.