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Hough HS graduate Erika Connolly making return splash at the Paris Olympics

She earned silver and bronze during her debut in Tokyo.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — We're just days away from the opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. As athletes make their final preparations, WCNC Charlotte is taking a look at some of the competitors with Carolina connections.

One such athlete is Erika Connolly, née Brown. Originally from California, this swimmer went to Hough High School in Cornelius, North Carolina, just 24 miles north of Charlotte. She racked up state championships during her time in the Tar Heel State before taking her talents to the University of Tennessee.

PREVIOUSLY: All the medals the US won at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Connolly made her Olympic debut during the Tokyo Games, earning two medals in team relay events. She won silver in the women's 4 x 100-meter medley relay and bronze in the women's 4 x 100-meter freestyle relay. For 2024, she was able to secure one of six spots on the freestyle relay squad. She also placed 13th overall in the women's 100-meter freestyle that year.

Connolly and the rest of the American women on the 100-meter freestyle relay team will first hit the water at 7:30 a.m. Eastern time on Saturday, July 27 for the qualifying heats. If they make it through, they'll be back at it again to race for a medal at 2:30 p.m. that day.

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The qualifying heats will air on NBC via WCNC Charlotte. The final race will stream only on Peacock.

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