9 of the youngest athletes competing at the 2016 Olympics

flickr/bcgovphotos

In just a few short weeks, the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will commence, catapulting familiar faces, along with some new, onto one of the world's biggest stages.

Some of the athletes participating in their first ever Olympics, while barely able to drive, have proven themselves to be fierce competitors.

Take a look below to see eight high-school-age students who will be competing in the 2016 Olympics.

Nicole Ahsinger — Gymnastics, 18

YouTube / Get Gymspired

Eighteen-year-old Nicole Ahsinger recently finished her senior year at Scripps Ranch High School in San Diego, California, and is on to the Olympics. She is the sole US female trampoline athlete in Rio.

Charles Conwell — Boxing, 18

YouTube / cleveland.com

The youngest member of the USA Olympic boxing team, Charles Conwell just finished his senior year at Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta, California. The 18-year-old will fight in the middleweight class.

Vashti Cunningham — Track and Field, 18

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File

Eighteen-year-old high-jumper Vashtie Cunningham just finished senior year at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is also already a sponsored professional athlete, with a contract with Nike.

The teenager finished second at the Olympic trials and has a good shot at the gold in Rio, according to her dad, retired NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham.

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