An Olympian’s BFF: meet the pups of Team USA & Team Canada

Ryan Crouser and Koda

Meet the dynamic duo of the shot put world: Ryan Crouser and his black Lab, Koda. Ryan, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and world-record holder, credits much of his success to the unwavering support of his loyal training buddy. 

Koda isn't just a pet; she's a vital part of Ryan's routine. Whether she’s helping out in practice sessions or enjoying games of fetch and weekend fishing trips, Koda is clearly Ryan’s #1 fan.

Helen Maroulis and Chip

In the world of wrestling, where every match and training session is a test of endurance, Helen Maroulis – the first American woman to snag Olympic gold in the sport – finds her zen with her adorable Havanese mix, Chip.

Chip has been with Helen through every grueling workout, victory and match. When Helen faced head injuries and the subsequent recovery that required extensive therapy, Chip was her rock. This little furball isn’t a homebody; he’s traveled the nation and the world with Helen, making every journey brighter.

Bobby Finke and Brewster

What does Olympic gold medalist Bobby Finke do when he’s not in the pool? He spends time with his biggest cheerleader: Brewster, a lovable German Shepherd and Golden Retriever mix who has been part of the Finke family since 2017. Bobby, known for his epic, last-minute surges in the 800m and 1500m freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, often credits Brewster with helping him stay grounded and motivated. After long days of training and racing, Bobby finds solace in taking Brewster for walks in the park and spending some well-deserved down time together.

Bianca Andreescu and Coco

You may already recognize Bianca Andreescu’s Toy Poodle, Coco, from her appearances in the stands during her mom’s tennis matches. Coco was notably in the audience during the 2019 U.S Open, where Bianca made history that year as the first Canadian tennis player to win a singles title. Next on Bianca’s list of milestones? Making her Olympic debut in Paris.

Coco has kept Bianca company on and off the tennis court over the years, traveling with to sites like Miami, LA, NY and Monte Carlo. Not only does Coco often hang out courtside, but she’s even made cameos in Bianca’s interviews. As she’s clearly no stranger to traveling the world, we’ll be keeping an eye out for a glimpse of Coco’s fluffy brown fur in the stands throughout the summer games.

RJ Barrett and Kingston (& more!)

RJ Barrett can usually be seen on the court with the Toronto Raptors, but he’ll be taking his skills to Paris for his first Olympics appearance this summer, competing with Team Canada in men’s basketball. You might think traveling for all those games would make it hard to be a pet parent, but RJ has a major weakness for French Bulldogs. He brought home Kingston as a puppy in 2020, and since then he’s added three more Frenchies to his personal squad. Now that’s what we call a cuddle puddle! Here’s a question: is it considered an advantage to have four French Bulldogs when the Olympics are in France?

Tammara Thibeault and Rocky

Canadian boxer Tammara Thibeault missed out on a medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but she hasn’t lost a single fight since then, so you better believe she’s going for gold at the Paris games. Tammara brings a stuffed bear named Groot to every match as part of a superstition, but she has an even better lucky charm at home in her dog, Rocky. 

Tammara relies on Rocky to keep her grounded between matches, and loves to spend time exploring with her pup as a way to take care of her mental health.. And when it comes to celebrating her success, she’d rather be home walking her dog than anywhere else.