PARIS, France — An Indiana athlete competing for gold in Paris had an emotional moment Tuesday talking about his family.
Matt Anderson, who has lived in Zionsville with his wife, Jackie, since 2019, is getting ready for his fourth Olympic Games. He was part of the USA's bronze medal-winning men's volleyball team in Rio in 2016 in between appearances in the 2012 and 2020 Games.
"Body is feeling good," Anderson said during a press conference July 23. "I've been training really hard for this, to be peaking physically at this point as well and, you know, it's coming together."
The Americans are ranked second in the FIVB rankings heading into the Paris Games, making them a favorite to return to the medal podium.
Anderson's biggest fans in Paris will be his wife and the couple's two young children, 4-year-old Jamie and 2-year-old Juno. Jackie, who graduated from Cathedral High School and Indiana University, posted a video to Instagram with a special message from the kids, writing, "You are our superhero."
A reporter asked Anderson Tuesday about being called a hero by his family.
"I try to set a daily example for my son, for the people in my life. So, be a hero, it's just, um, might be a reach for that, but the idea of having him see what we put in this, it takes a lot," Anderson said, his voice breaking with emotion. "And it takes a lot of time and dedication and purpose, and for him to take that, whether it's in sports or just in everyday life, that's my goal."
The United States men's volleyball team opens pool play against Argentina on Saturday, July 27. They will also face Germany and Japan in an attempt to reach the quarterfinal round. The gold medal will be awarded Aug. 10.
The Olympics get underway Friday, July 26 with the opening ceremony in Paris.