7 Olympic Athletes Born in Lafayette, Louisiana

Griffin actually had a shot at the 1988 Olympics but lost his chance to compete when he tested positive for marijuana at the US Olympic Trials. He rebounded in 1992 and was the gold medal favorite in the light-flyweight weight class. After cruising in the first round, he controversially lost a decision in round two to Spain’s Rafael Lozano.

Wheeler competed in the featherweight division but was one and done in the 1992 Games, losing in the first round to Russian Ramazan Paliani. He would find success as a pro later on as he was 22-2 in his career, having won a total of three titles in various weight classes along the way.

The former LSU star did not medal in either of his Olympics appearances, finishing 11th overall in both 2000 and 2004. However, success was not far away as he won the 2005 World Outdoor and 2006 World Indoor Championships.

A successful professional player, Rubin made the 2004 U.S. tennis team. She participated in both singles and doubles. In doubles, she and partner Venus Williams would be upset in their first match. In singles competition, Rubin would win her first two matches but fall to eventual silver medalist Amelie Mauresmo of France.

Many know Daniel as a star of the UFC, but he got his start in wrestling after graduating from Northside High School. In the 2004 Athens games, Cormier came close to a medal after breezing through pool competition. But he would eventually fall in his bronze medal match to Iran's Ali Reza Heidari.

Blanchard competed in women's individual trampolining in Beijing when she was only 18 years old. Unfortunately, she didn't medal, having placed 13th overall after her qualifying round routines.

Vinsant had a strong showing in the most recent Olympic Games in London. In women's individual trampolining, she would qualify for the final round where she finished sixth overall. Savannah was the youngest competitor in the event at only 19 years old and the first ever U.S. trampolinist to qualify for the finals.