10 Olympians We Want to See on Dancing With the Stars

Ryan Lochte, McKayla Maroney, Nathan Adrian and Alex Morgan all made our list of athletes we want to see compete in ABC's ballroom

By Tierney Bricker Aug 10, 2012 1:46 AMTags
Tom Daley, McKayla Maroney, Ryan LochteAdidas, Ronald Martinez, Adam Pretty/Getty Images

So you won a gold medal? Now what?

Well, if you want to follow in the footsteps of former Olympians Shawn Johnson and Apolo Anton Ohno, you head on over to Dancing With the Stars! Athletes have a pretty impressive track record on the hit ABC hot (Johnson and Ohno both took home the mirrorball trophy during their respective seasons and are now competing in the show's first All-Stars outing) and we're sure producers are taking mental notes on the swimmers, gymnasts and runners who are winning over viewers' hearts this summer.

Here's our list of 10 Olympians who competed in London that we'd love to see put on their dancing shoes for the ABC show:

Ryan Lochte is being courted for several reality series, his agent confirms

Ryan Lochte: Is Lochte interesting in joining DWTS? We can answer that question in three words: Jeah, jeah, jeah! The 28-year-old swimmer, who is moving out to L.A after the games, has expressed interest in competing on the show and can design his own costumes (you know, since his passion is fashion).

McKayla Maroney: While we love all of the "Fab Five," Maroney, vault-extraordinaire, has become our favorite U.S. gymnast (Shhh, don't tell the others!) and we think she'd be a perfect choice for Dancing With the Stars. Have you seen her intense game-face?! Or her not so impressed face?

Michael Phelps: The greatest Olympian of all-time could continue his friendly rivalry with Lochte in the ballroom (best idea ever!) and would have some support from the new lady in his life.

Kerri Walsh-Jennings: Sure the beach volleyball babe has three gold medals with her partner Misty May-Treanor, but isn't a mirrorball trophy just so much cooler? (We jest, we jest!) But Jennings could score some solid adivce from Treanor, who competed on the show in season seven. (Treanor was forced to withdraw from the competition after rupturing her Achilles tendon, so maybe she'd like to give the show another go?)

Adam Pretty/Getty Images

Alex Morgan: This soccer beauty became one of London's breakout stars after she scored the game-winning goal in the finale minute of overtime in the semifinals, sending her team to the gold medal game. Plus, she already has a surprisingly large fanbase (765,000 Twitter followers, thank you very much!) and has reportedly received 27 marriage proposals on Facebook.

Tom Daley: Daley is so popular with the young ladies that you might as well consider him a bonus One Direction member. Yes, he's that popular. (And he is friends with the band, so he'd have some pretty awesome celeb friends cheering him on in the ballroom). Daley, England's 18-year-old diving stud, isn't afraid to shake what his momma gave him, which is exactly what he did with his teammates in this video they made to LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It." You're welcome.

Missy Franklin: The sweetheart of the women's swimming stole the show with her bright smile and seriously kickass skills and we think her fun spirit would make her the perfect DWTS contestant. Plus, Justin Bieber is a huge fan of the 17-year-old, which would guarantee her a pretty large fanbase.

Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Nathan Adrian: 'Cause he's pretty and we don't want to wait another four years to see that smile on our TV screens again. (Yes, we're that shameless.)

Lolo Jones: Jones has dominated headlines after her  tearful appearance on the Today Show, where she slammed the U.S. Media for calling her the "Anna Kournikova of track" after she failed to medal in the 100-meter hurdles. What better way to follow up the games than by dancing away the pain?

Usain Bolt: Come on, how cool would it be to see the fastest man in the world in the ballroom? The Jamaican sprinter, who just broke the Olympic record in the 100-meter race, is friends with Prince Harry, and is definitely not lacking in the self-confidence department, as his Twitter bio says, "The most naturally gifted athlete the world has ever seen."

Which Olympic athlete would you like to see on Dancing With the Stars? Sound off in the comments!

Awesome Olympians!