Houston, we definitely do not have a problem. In fact, we might have a serious case of Olympic medal fever. H-Town athletes absolutely dominated the Paris games and we couldn’t be prouder. We racked up an impressive bounty of nine medals, with three gold and six silver wins. The Bayou City’s finest are showing on the world stage that you really don’t mess with Texas.

The gymnastics arena has been particularly kind to Houston. Leading the pack is GOAT Simone Biles, who has once again proved that she is the undisputed queen of the sport with gravity-defying performances that earned her two gold medals and a silver. Jordan Chiles, Biles’s teammate who has embraced Houston as her training ground since her move in 2019, initially won a bronze medal, but it was dramatically taken away over the weekend after Romania contested it. (Team USA is appealing the International Olympic Committee’s decision.)

The aquatic team’s prowess has been equally impressive. Sugar Land’s own Simone Manuel put in some impressive performances in the pool at several relay races resulting in two silver medals. Springboard diver Kassidy Cook made The Woodlands proud by adding another silver to Houston’s medal collection.

On the track, Houstonians’ speed and endurance were showcased by Texas A&M’s Bryce Deadmon, who sprinted his way to a silver medal during the mixed 400-meter relay race where he performed as the third leg. Keep making Missouri City proud, Bryce.

Over the last weekend, the rest of our H-Town heroes delivered in their final competitions. Avery Skinner spiked her way to a silver medal at the volleyball tournament, and Brittney Griner, the Houston-born women’s basketball center who has had a tumultuous couple of years after getting arrested in Russia for drug possession in 2022, came through with a gold medal.

Although he didn’t medal, the stylish moves of Houstonian Jeffrey Louis (a.k.a Bboy Jeffro) made history as part of breaking’s (or breakdancing, for the newbs) Olympic debut. A shout-out to Grant Koontz, who pedaled hard in cycling, and Jonathan Healy, who fought for glory in taekwondo. They may have come short of adding to the medal tally, but they definitely made the closing events memorable for Houstonians.

And don’t forget the Paralympics, which will be taking place from August 28 to September 8. Jazmin Almlie-Ryan, a sharpshooter from Katy, will be competing in para-shooting; Ahalya Lettenberger will perform in the para-swimming category, making waves for Rice University and her home state of Illinois; and Kaitlyn Eaton will represent Houston in wheelchair basketball.

We don’t know if Houston is turning into an incubator of Olympians or if there’s just something in the water, but keep up the amazing work, athletes. It’s been an honor to cheer you on from home. Bring on the medals.