The world is buzzing in anticipation of the 2016 Olympic Games, slated to take place in Rio this year and there is no shortage of Latino talent among the Team USA athletes. The following are some of the most promising contenders who are preparing to perform in Brazil.

Diana Taurasi, a Team USA women's basketball superstar, began her playing career in high school where she was credited as one of the best at the sport in all of southern California. Half-Argentinian, half-Italian, this Latina has competed on all levels in the basketball world and has won countless awards throughout her career, including being named one of the WNBA's top 15 players of all time. Taurasi has helped Team USA bring home the gold in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympic Games. It's a pretty safe bet that she'll pick up yet another medal in Rio this year where she and her teammates are sure to dominate on the international stage.

Native New Yorker Ryan Lochte is another Latino Olympic legend with roots in Cuba and Spain. At age 31, Lochte has definitely made history during his competitive swimming career. Specializing in the backstroke (though also competing in butterfly and freestyle medley), the man has won a total of 89 medals in major international sporting competitions, including 11 Olympic medals: five gold, three silver, and three bronze. On his own, Lochte has locked down four world records in swimming. Among these records are the 100-meter individual medley, long- and short- course 200-meter medley and short-course 400-meter medley. On behalf of Team USA Lochte also holds the world record in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay (long course). Will he break more records this year in Rio? You can pretty much bank on it.

Melissa Gonzalez, another native New Yorker with Cuban roots, is gearing up for her first chance at an Olympic showdown this year in field hockey. Having made her first international appearance on the field long ago, and with the experience of having played in the 2012 Olympic games, this young woman has also taken part in approximately 150 tournaments on an international scale. Although Gonzalez, along with Team USA, barely missed out on winning a medal the last time around, it's certain that everybody is rooting for this pro-field hockey team to make history this year in Rio.

Carmelo Anthony is a household name here in the States, an undeniable NBA All-Star, with Puerto Rican roots. One of the highest-scoring professional players in the American League, Anthony has also played with Team USA in the past three consecutive Olympic Games. The U.S. men's basketball team brought home the bronze medal in 2004 and took gold in both 2008 and 2012. Additionally, during the 2012 Games, this pro player set the U.S. record for the most points made during an Olympic match, coming through with 37. Anthony along with the rest of Team USA are sure to bring home a win this year in Rio, and maybe even set some new world records too.

Tony Azevedo will be on home turf for the 2016 Olympics, despite being a driving force for Team USA. The native Brazilian was actually born in Rio de Janeiro, though he was raised in California as a U.S. citizen. Azevedo is the current captain of Team USA, water polo. He's also an experienced Olympic athlete, with this 2016 being his fourth time at the Games He helped the U.S. bring home a silver medal in 2008 and we're all hoping he can take Team USA to the next level - gold star-status - down in Brazil this year.