They've put in innumerable hours of sweat, blood and tears to get where they are today. They are among the best of the best and are ready to prove their mettle. 529 athletes from 45 states will represent the United States at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

They are competing in events as diverse as athletics, fencing, rowing, soccer and basketball. For everyone, from swimmer Katie Ledecky, 15, to 54-year-old equestrian jumper Karen O’Connor, these Games represent the culmination of all the hard work and dedication they've put in to win the coveted medal.

It's time to meet the Olympians from Minnesota!

Here are a few quick facts about your Olympians!

Rachel Bootsma 
Sex : Female 
Competing in Swimming 
Event / position / class : 100-meter backstroke
Age : 18
From : Eden Prairie

Chas Betts 
Sex : Male
Competing in Wrestling
Event / position / class : Greco-Roman 84kg 
Age : 26
From : St. Michael

Dan Chandler 
Sex : Male 
Coach in Wrestling 
Event / position / class : Greco-Roman 
Age : 60
From : Minneapolis

Kara Goucher
Sex : Female
Competing in Running
Event / position / class : Marathon
Age : 34
From : Duluth

Amanda Smock 
Sex : Female
Competing in Track and Field
Event / position / class : Triple Jump
Age : 29
From : Melrose

Grandmaster Eui Lee
Sex : Male
Coach in Taekwondo
From : Maple Grove

Lindsay Whalen
Sex : Female 
Competing in Basketball
Age : 30
From : Hutchinson, plays for the Minnesota Lnyx

Kevin Love
Sex : Male 
Competing in Basketball
Age : 23
From : California, plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves

Seimone Augustus
Sex : Female 
Competing in Basketball
Age : 28
From : Louisiana, plays for the Minnesota Lynx

Maya Moore
Sex : Female 
Competing in Basketball
Age : 23
From : Missouri, plays for the Minnesota Lynx

Lindsey Berg
Sex : Female 
Competing in Volleyball
Age : 31
From : New Ulm, played at University of Minnesota

Ali Bernard
Sex : Female
Competing in Wrestling
Event / position / class : 72kg freestyle
Age : 26
From : New Ulm

Kelci Bryant
Sex : Female 
Competing in Diving
Event / position / class : 3-meter synchronized
Age : 23
From : Minneapolis, played at University of Minnesota

Sam Hazewinkel
Sex : Male 
Competing in Freestyle Wrestling
Age : 29
From : Minneapolis

Megan Kalmoe
Sex : Female 
Competing in Rowing
Event / position / class : Quadruple sculls
Age : 28
From : Born in Minneapolis, grew up in South St. Paul

Alex Meyer
Sex : Male 
Competing in Swimming
Event / position / class : 10K open water
Age : 24
From : Born in Rochester

Hugh McCutcheon
Sex : Male 
Women's Volleyball Coach
Age : 42
From : coach at University of Minnesota

Susie Scanlan
Sex : Female
Competing in Epee fencing
Age : 21
From : St. Paul

Alise Post
Sex : Female
Competing in BMX cycling
Age : 21
From : St. Cloud

Roberto Sobalvarro
Sex : Male
Women's epee fencing coach
Age : 54
From : Owatonna

Jillian Tyler
Sex : Female 
Competing in Swimming 
Event / position / class : 100-meter breaststroke
Age : 23
From : Minneapolis

Brittany Viola
Sex : Female 
Competing in Diving
Event / position / class : 10-meter platform
Age : 25
From : Born in St. Paul, daughter of former Twins pitcher Frank Viola