Tokyo Olympics: Wayland Rower Competes For U.S. Team

WAYLAND, MA — Wayland residents will have at least one person to root for during the Tokyo Olympics, which officially begin Friday after a one-year pandemic delay.

Andrew Reed, 29, was born in Worcester and grew up in Wayland and will be part of the U.S. men's rowing team. Reed will compete in the men's four rowing event, which takes place on July 28.

Reed is graduate of Belmont Hill School in Belmont, where he first began his rowing career. He went on to attend Harvard University, rowing for the school's elite team. Reed helped the men's team qualify for the Olympics during the 2019 World Rowing Championships.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics was postponed last March as the coronavirus pandemic emerged around the world. And it's still possible the games might be postponed again.

Coronavirus cases are on the rise in Japan and Tokyo is in a state of emergency due to the virus. The head of the Olympics organizing committee, Toshiro Muto, said this week it's possible the games could be called off before Friday if cases continue to rise, according to Reuters. Two Team USA members, a gymnastics alternate and tennis player Cori Gauff have already tested positive for the virus.

Apart from Reed, there are 18 other athletes from Massachusetts competing in the Tokyo games:

• Rashida Ellis of Lynn, boxing
• Michael Hixton of Amherst, diving
• Eli Dershwitz of Sherborn, fencing
• Andrew Mackiewicz of Westwood, fencing
• Austin Hack of Springfield, rowing
• Conor Harrity of Weston, rowing
• Alexander Richards of Watertown, rowing
• Regina Salmons of Methuen, rowing
• Gevvie Stone of Newton, rowing
• Kristi Wagner of Weston, rowing
• Madison Hughes of Lancaster, rugby
• Kristi Kirshe of Franklin (born in Natick), rugby
• Kristie Mewis of Hanson, soccer
• Samantha Mewis of Weymouth, soccer
• Lindi Schroeder of Andover, artistic swimming
• Wadeline Jonathas of Worcester, track and field
• Heather MaClean of Peabody, track and field
• Gabrielle Thomas of Florence, track and field