The 2016 Summer Olympics are just around the corner and, while the Cowboy State has yet to produce any Olympians this year, many Wyoming athletes have represented their country proudly over the years.

Here's a look back at some of the greatest Olympians in Wyoming history.

Lance Deal - Born in Riverton and raised in Casper, Deal won a silver medal in the Hammer Throw at the 1996 Summer Games. Deal represented the United States during four Olympics and was a two-time gold medalist at the Pan American Games.

Rulon Gardner -  The pride of Afton, Wyoming, made history in 2000, when he became the first American to win the Gold Medal in Greco-Roman wrestling versus a full international field. Gardner's victory over Russia's Alexandr Karelin, who hadn't lost a match in over 13 years, ranks among the greatest upsets in Olympic history.

John Godina - The three-time Cheyenne shot putter has two Olympic medals; winning the silver in 1996 and the bronze in 2000. Godina also won three World Championships during his illustrious career and added the World Indoor Championship to his resume in 2001

Tommy Moe - In 1994, Moe became the first American male to win two Olympic medals, striking gold in the Downhill and silver int he Super G. Following his retirement, Moe moved to Wilson, Wyoming, where he works as an ambassador for Jackson Hole.

Heather Moody - The only player on her team who didn't hail from California, Wyoming's greatest water polo player won a silver medal in 2000. She also captained the 2004 team, which won the bronze.

Josef "Pepi" Stiegler - Widely considered one of the greatest skiers of all time, Stiegler won the Slalom gold medal in 1964 representing his native country of Austria. The following year, he moved to Jackson, Wyoming, where he spent nearly 40 years as an instructor and ambassador for the Jackson Hole Ski Resort.

 

 

More From 101.9 KING-FM