The 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro is in the rearview mirror. 

In swimming, the stars were plentiful, led by historic performances by Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky. Ryan Lochte, meanwhile, made news of a different variety and still is.

Outside of those getting all the mainstream attention were a handful of young, up-and-coming swimmers who are sure to make waves (get it?) moving forward.

Here are a few to watch out for, in the present, and in future Olympic Games:

Katinka Hosszu, HUN

"Iron Lady" has competed in four Olympics already, but do not count her out for Tokyo 2020, albeit in probably fewer events. Hosszu won more individual medals than any other swimmer in Rio this summer and broke the world record in the 400m individual medley (4:26.36).

The 27-year-old, who won gold in the 100-meter backstroke, the 200-meter individual medley, and silver in the 200m backstroke, will be a force to be reckoned with next year at the World Championships. 

Ryan Murphy, USA

The Chicago native could own the backstroke for a long time. Murphy, 21, won three gold medals in Rio in his specialty event: the 100m backstroke, the 200-meter backstroke, and as a leg in the 4x100m medley. His 100-meter time (51.85) and his leg of the medley were also world records. Murphy is also a six-time NCAA champion, racking up titles in the backstroke as a collegian.

Penny Oleksiak, CAN and Simone Manuel, USA

It's crazy to think Oleksiak is only 16 years old. She has a chance to become one of the most decorated Canadian Olympic athletes ever. Already, Oleksiak is the first person from her country to win four medals in the same Summer Games after her performances in Rio. The Toronto native took gold in the 100-meter freestyle, silver in the 100m butterfly, and two bronzes in the 4x100m relay and the 4x200m relay. Oleksiak is also the youngest Canadian to ever become an Olympic champion.

Before Colin Kaepernick protested during the playing of the national anthem during his NFL games, Manuel spoke out against police brutality against African Americans in Rio. Manuel, 20, has been very public about being a role model for people of color in swimming. At the Summer Games, she won two gold medals (100m freestyle and 4x100m medley) and two silver medals (4x100m freestyle relay and 50m freestyle).

Kyle Chalmers, AUS

Australia has a top prospect for the future on its hands. Chalmers, just 18 years old, won the gold medal in the 100m freestyle and helped Australia's 4x100m freestyle and 4x100m medley relay teams win bronze.

Chalmers set the junior world record in the 100m free at 47.58. In the medley relay, he had the fastest split of the field (46.72). He also became the first Aussie male to win gold in the 100m free since Michael Wenden in 1968.



​

By Marc Raimondi