WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The stars of the 2016 Rio Olympics

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  • We took a look back at the stars of the 2016 Rio Olympics and where they are today.

  • The Olympics tend to elevate the profiles not just of medal-winners but of the unusual characters who can take center stage for those three weeks.

  • The list includes legendary Olympians, breakout stars, and of course, lovable characters we met along the way.

  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Michael Phelps led all Olympians with six medals, five of which were gold.

michael phelps
Michael Phelps in 2016. Lee Jin-man/AP

Phelps has since retired as the most decorated Olympian ever. He is now a mental health advocate.

Michael Phelps smiles.
Michael Phelps in 2020. John Locher/AP Images

Simone Biles became the greatest gymnast ever at Rio in 2016, taking home five medals, including four golds.

Simone Biles
Simone Biles in 2016. Getty Images

Biles is back for Tokyo. She's better than ever and looking to further cement her greatness.

Simone Biles.
Simone Biles in 2021. Lindsey Wasson/Reuters

Katie Ledecky had her breakout, finishing with five medals, four of which were gold.

Katie Ledecky
Katie Ledecky in 2016. Julian Finney/Getty Images

Ledecky returns to the pool in Tokyo, where she'll be a favorite to take home more golds.

Katie Ledecky at the 2021 Olympic Trials
Katie Ledecky in 2021. Charlie Neibergall/AP Images

Usain Bolt wowed in Rio, winning three gold medals and making it look easy in the process.

usain bolt 4
Usain Bolt at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Cameron Spencer/Getty

Bolt is retired, but still staying in shape on the track. He also briefly tried his hand at soccer.

Usain Bolt smiles at the Oaks Day at Flemington Racecourse in 2019.
Usain Bolt in 2019. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Read more: Usain Bolt says a bet with friends that he'll 'get fat' motivates him to keep working out in retirement

Aly Raisman won a gold and two silvers in gymnastics in Rio.

Aly Raisman
Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Raisman is no longer competing, but she has taken a lead role in calling for transparency from USA Gymnastics after coming out as a survivor of Larry Nassar's abuse. She has also become an advocate for other survivors of assault.

Aly Raisman smiles at the the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2020.
Aly Raisman in 2020. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Images

Simone Manuel also broke out with a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle in an upset victory.

Simone Manuel reacts to winning the 100-meter freestyle at the Rio Olympics
Simone Manuel in 2016. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Manuel will be in Tokyo, serving as a captain of the swim team while also competing in the 50-meter freestyle.

Simone Manuel celebrates at the Olympic trials in 2021.
Simone Manuel in 2021. Charlie Neibergall/AP Images

Not everyone who was a star at Rio was a medal-winner. Pita Taufatofua of Tonga made waves with his shirtless, oily body at the opening ceremony.

Pita Taufatofua tonga flag
Pita Taufatofua in 2016. Reuters/Stoyan Nenov

Taufatofua went on to make the Pyeongchang Olympics as a cross-country skier, and he will be back in Tokyo competing in taekwondo.

Pita Taufatofua speaks at an event in 2021.
Pita Taufatofua in 2021. Hanna Lassen/Getty Images for the Australian Olympic Committee

Robel Kiros Habte of Ethiopia became a fan-favorite for his physique and last-place finish in the 100 freestyle. Although he said he wanted to compete in Tokyo, according to FINA's website, he hasn't competed since Rio.

robel kiros habte
Dominic Ebenbichler/Reuters

Ryan Lochte won one relay gold medal at Rio - his 12th career Olympic medal - but more famously made headlines for his bleached hair and for his robbery scandal.

Ryan Lochte
Ryan Lochte in 2016. Matt Hazlett/Getty Images

Lochte admitted to struggling with mental health after Rio and also went to rehab for alcohol. Lochte attempted to make a comeback for the Tokyo Olympics but fell short of qualifying.

Ryan Lochte smiles while speaking at a press conference Olympic trials in 2021.
Ryan Lochte. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Lilly King became a breakout star for taking on Russian rival Yuliya Yefimova, who had served a doping suspension, and won. King won two medals.

lilly king
Lilly King celebrates after beating Yulia Yefimova in 2016. Clive Rose/Getty

King will be in Tokyo, attempting to become the first woman to win the 100-meter breaststroke in back-to-back Olympics.

Lilly King waves at the 2021 Olympic trials.
Lilly King in 2021. Jeff Roberson/AP Images

Laurie Hernandez took home a gold in the team event and a silver in the balance beam.

Laurie Hernandez
Laurie Hernandez in 2016. Charlie Riedel/AP

Hernandez took a break from gymnastics after the Olympics. She tried but did not make team for Tokyo.

Laurie Hernandez reacts at the Senior Women's competition of the 2021 U.S. Gymnastics Championships.
Laurie Hernandez in 2021. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Joseph Schooling of Singapore became a breakout star when he beat his idol Michael Phelps in the 100-meter butterfly.

joseph schooling
Joseph Schooling in 2016. Clive Rose/Getty

Schooling will be in Tokyo to compete for gold again in the same event.

Joseph Schooling in the pool during the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.
Joseph Schooling in 2019. Tatan Syuflana/AP Images

Justin Rose took home gold in the golf event.

Justin Rose smiles at a press conference at the Rio Olympics.
Justin Rose in 2016. Alastair Grant/AP Images

Rose is ranked 47th in the world but missed the cut for Tokyo.

Justin Rose swings his golf club at Charles Schwab Challenge tournament.
Justin Rose in 2021. Michael Ainsworth/AP Images

Kerri Walsh-Jennings and April Ross took home the bronze medal in beach volleyball in Rio.

Kerri Walsh-Jennings and April Ross talk during match at the Rio Olympics.
Kerri Walsh-Jennings and April Ross in 2016. Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images

Walsh-Jennings failed to qualify for Tokyo while playing with a new partner in Brooke Sweat. Ross, meanwhile, qualified with a new partner in Alix Klineman.

Kerri Walsh-Jennings in a side-by-side photo with April Ross
Kerri Walsh-Jennings in 2019; April Ross in 2020 Buda Mendes/Getty Images; Robert Beck/AVP/Getty Images

Japanese gymnast Kohei Uchimura won gold medals in the team event and all-around.

Kohei Uchimura celebrates at the Rio Olympics.
Kohei Uchimura in 2016. Rebecca Blackwell/AP Images

Uchimura is widely regarded as the greatest male gymnast ever. He qualified for Tokyo in the individual high bar for what is likely his last Olympics.

Kohei Uchimura raises his hand at a meet in 2021.
Kohei Uchimura in 2021. Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

Allyson Felix won three medals, including two golds in relays, in Rio.

Allyson Felix holds up a baton at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Allyson Felix in 2016. Matt Slocum/AP Images

Felix, who had to undergo an emergency C-section at just 32 weeks pregnant in 2018, qualified for Tokyo in the 400 meters.

Allyson Felix at Olympic trials in 2021.
Allyson Felix in 2021. Ashley Landis/AP Images

Katinka Hosszu of Hungary won four medals, the most of any non-American, and her husband gained notoriety for his enthusiastic celebrations.

Katinka Hosszu holds up a gold medal at the Rio Olympics.
Katinka Hosszu in 2016. Adam Pretty/Getty Images

Hosszu is heading to Tokyo, set to compete in four events.

Katinka Hosszu gives a thumbs up at the European Aquatics Championships in 2021.
Katinka Hosszu in 2021. Petr David Josek/AP Images

Caeleb Dressel won two gold medals in relays.

Caeleb Dressel at the Rio Olympics.
Caeleb Dressel in 2016. Martin Meissner/AP Images

Dressel has since dominated world championships in 2017 and 2019 and will be swimming in six or seven events in Tokyo.

Caeleb Dresse stands during Olympic trials in 2021.
Caeleb Dressel in 2021. Jeff Roberson/AP Images

Now, check out some athletic duos who will be in Tokyo...

9 Olympic couples competing together at the Tokyo Olympics >

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