2016 Topps US Olympic and Paralympic Team Hopefuls Trading Cards
Product Details
Capturing the glory and pageantry of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio, 2016 Topps US Olympic and Paralympic Team Hopefuls concentrates on the top athletes for the United States heading into the games. Each hobby box includes two relics and one autograph.
The 100-card base set includes the biggest stars across multiple sports that are expected to have a spot in Brazil. Adding to that, medal-themed parallels include Bronze (1 per pack), Silver (1:2 packs), Gold (1:3 packs) and Gold Rainbow (#1/1).
Featuring up to 40 key names, the Base Autographs offer a premium hit option and are joined by numbered Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold Rainbow (#1/1) parallels. Much more limited, U.S. Olympic Champion Autographs celebrate ten of the biggest former champions with a hobby-exclusive insert.
Among the other signed options, hobby-only U.S. Olympic Cut Signatures highlight legends with one-of-one cards and Autographed Relics offer cards that feature a signature and athlete-worn relic for up to 20 top subjects. Red, Gold and Gold Rainbow (1/1) parallels present more rarity.
Rounding out the main hits, U.S. Olympic Team Relics feature up to 50 athletes with memorabilia swatches. Again, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold Rainbow (#1/1) parallels are in play.
Beyond the standard hits, a variety of commemorative relics can be found in 2016 Topps US Olympic and Paralympic Team Hopefuls. Each including up 25 to subjects, United States Olympic Team Patch, American Flag Patch and Team Crest Patches give collectors a trio of choices with manufactured patches. In addition to base versions, there are also numbered Gold and Red parallels.
One last relic comes in the form of Commemorative Olympic Medals. Honoring the iconic medals earned by the greats of their craft, versions include Bronze, Silver and Gold, with each found as Blue or Red parallels.
Finally, several inserts give more options to set collectors. Olympic Disciplines (1:4 packs) document an athlete, their event and the rules behind that event. Memorable Moments (1:8 packs) look back at key events, and Closing Ceremonies (1:24 packs) offer a retrospective on past games, including medal counts.
Release Date: 7/8/2016
Product Configuration: 8 cards per pack, 24 packs per box, 12 boxes per case
2016 Topps US Olympic and Paralympic Team and Hopefuls Box Break
- 1 Autographed Card
- 1 Relic
- 1 Commemorative Relic
- 6 Olympic Disciplines Inserts
- 3 Memorable Moments Inserts
- 1 Closing Ceremonies Insert
- 192 Total Card
| Simone Biles Olympic Lot Of 3. 2016 Topps Box, 2016 Topps RC And 2014 SI RC. | $179.00 |  |
| 2016 Topps US Olympics Factory Sealed Blaster Box with USA | $229.99 | |
| 2016 Topps US Olympics Factory Sealed 16 Box Blaster CASE-Look for Phelps AUTO! | $2,299.95 | |
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Set Checklist
2016 Topps US Olympic and Paralympic Team Hopefuls Set Checklist
Base Set Checklist
2 Claressa Shields - Boxing
3 Brittney Griner - Basketball
4 Diana Taurasi - Basketball
5 Candace Parker - Basketball
6 Mariel Zagunis - Fencing
7 Paige Selenski - Field Hockey
8 Sam Mikulak - Gymnastics
9 Kayla Harrison - Judo
10 Matt Stutzman - Archery
11 Melissa Stockwell - Paratriathlon
12 Carlin Isles - Rugby
13 Kim Rhode - Shooting
14 Missy Franklin - Swimming
15 Steven Lopez - Taekwondo
16 April Ross - Volleyball
17 Holley Mangold - Weightlifting
18 Madison Hughes - Rugby
19 Nathan Schrimsher - Modern Pentathlon
20 Megan Rapinoe - Soccer
21 Matt Grevers - Swimming
22 Connor Fields - Cycling - BMX
23 Haley Anderson - Swimming
24 Conor Dwyer - Swimming
25 Jake Dalton - Gymnastics
26 Danell Leyva - Gymnastics
27 John Orozco - Gymnastics
28 Brad Snyder - Swimming
29 Perry Baker - Rugby
30 Tyler Clary - Swimming
31 Tori Bowie - Track & Field
32 Justin Gatlin - Track & Field
33 Joe Kovacs - Track & Field
34 LaShawn Merritt - Track & Field
35 Adeline Gray - Wrestling
36 Elena Delle Donne - Basketball
37 No card listed*
38 Simone Biles - Gymnastics
40 Abby Wambach - Soccer
41 Sarah True - Triathlon
42 Casey Patterson - Volleyball
43 Brady Ellison - Archery
44 Sue Bird - Basketball
45 Courtney Mathewson - Water Polo
46 Kami Craig - Water Polo
47 Merrill Moses - Water Polo
48 Jenny Arthur - Weightlifting
49 Tom Shields - Swimming
50 Ryan Lochte - Swimming
51 David Boudia - Diving
52 Cullen Jones - Swimming
53 Margaux Isaksen - Modern Pentathlon
54 Allison Schmitt - Swimming
55 McLain Ward - Equestrian
56 Phil Dalhausser - Volleyball
57 Galen Rupp - Track & Field
58 Summer Ross - Volleyball
59 Emily Day - Volleyball
60 Jake Gibb - Volleyball
61 Bob Beamon - Track & Field
62 Rulon Gardner - Wrestling
63 Jenny Thompson - Swimming
64 Aly Raisman - Gymnastics
65 Carly Patterson - Gymnastics
66 Gary Hall Jr. - Swimming
67 Nathan Adrian - Swimming
68 Alana Nichols - Para-Canoe
69 Katie Meili - Swimming
70 Tatyana McFadden - Track & Field
71 Lex Gillette - Track & Field
72 Leo Manzano - Track & Field
73 Elizabeth Beisel - Swimming
74 Maya Moore - Basketball
75 Gabby Douglas - Gymnastics
Base Autograph Set Checklist
2 Claressa Shields - Boxing
3 Brittney Griner - Basketball
4 Diana Taurasi - Basketball
5 Candace Parker - Basketball
6 Mariel Zagunis - Fencing
7 Paige Selenski - Field Hockey
8 Sam Mikulak - Gymnastics
9 Kayla Harrison - Judo
10 Matt Stutzman - Para-archery
11 Melissa Stockwell - Para-triathlon
12 Carlin Isles - Rugby
13 Kim Rhode - Shooting
14 Missy Franklin - Swimming
15 Steven Lopez - Taekwondo
16 April Ross - Volleyball
17 Holley Mangold - Weightlifting
20 Megan Rapinoe - Soccer
21 Matt Grevers - Swimming
23 Haley Anderson - Swimming
24 Conor Dwyer - Swimming
25 Jake Dalton - Gymnastics
36 Elena Delle Donne - Basketball
38 Simone Biles - Gymnastics
39 Natalie Coughlin - Swimming
40 Abby Wambach - Soccer
44 Sue Bird - Basketball
50 Ryan Lochte - Swimming
62 Rulon Gardner - Wrestling
67 Nathan Adrian - Swimming
74 Maya Moore - Basketball
75 Gabby Douglas - Gymnastics
Autographed Relics Set Checklist
USAR-ARO April Ross - Volleyball
USAR-AW Abby Wambach - Soccer
USAR-BG Brittney Griner - Basketball
USAR-CI Carlin Isles - Rugby
USAR-CP Candace Parker - Basketball
USAR-CS Claressa Shields - Boxing
USAR-DT Diana Taurasi - Basketball
USAR-ED Elena Delle Donne - Basketball
USAR-GD Gabby Douglas - Gymnastics
USAR-KH Kayla Harrison - Judo
USAR-MF Missy Franklin - Swimming
USAR-MH Madison Hughes - Rugby
USAR-MM Maya Moore - Basketball
USAR-MP Michael Phelps - Swimming
USAR-MR Megan Rapinoe - Soccer
USAR-NA Nathan Adrian - Swimming
USAR-NC Natalie Coughlin - Swimming
USAR-PS Paige Selenski - Field Hockey
USAR-RL Ryan Lochte - Swimming
USAR-SB Sue Bird - Basketball
USAR-SBI Simone Biles - Gymnastics
USAR-SM Sam Mikulak - Gymnastics
Champion Autographs Set Checklist
USOCA-CP Candace Parker - Basketball
USOCA-DT Diana Taurasi - Basketball
USOCA-GD Gabby Douglas - Gymnastics
USOCA-MF1 Missy Franklin - Swimming
USOCA-MM Maya Moore - Basketball
USOCA-MP1 Michael Phelps - Swimming
USOCA-NC Natalie Coughlin - Swimming
USOCA-RL Ryan Lochte - Swimming
USOCA-SB Sue Bird - Basketball
Closing Ceremony Set Checklist
CC-2 London 1908 Olympic Games
CC-3 Stockholm 1912 Olympic Games
CC-4 Paris 1924 Olympic Games
CC-5 Los Angeles 1932 Olympic Games
CC-6 Berlin 1936 Olympic Games
CC-7 London 1948 Olympic Games
CC-8 Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games
CC-9 Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games
CC-10 Rome 1960 Olympic Games
CC-11 Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games
CC-12 Mexico City 1968 Olympic Games
CC-14 Montreal 1976 Olympic Games
CC-15 Moscow 1980 Olympic Games
CC-16 Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games
CC-17 Seoul 1988 Olympic Games
CC-18 Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games
CC-19 Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games
CC-20 Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
CC-21 Athens 2004 Olympic Games
CC-22 Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
CC-23 London 2012 Olympic Games
Cut Signatures Set Checklist
OGCS-JF Joe Frazier - Boxing
OGCS-JJ Jesse Owens - Track & Field
OGCS-JW Johnny Weissmuller - Swimming
OGCS-LZ Louis Zamperini - Track & Field
OGCS-MA Muhammad Ali - Boxing
Olympic Disciplines Set Checklist
OD-2 Claressa Shields - Boxing
OD-3 Mariel Zagunis - Fencing
OD-4 Paige Selenski - Field Hockey
OD-5 Sam Mikulak - Gymnastics
OD-6 Kayla Harrison - Judo
OD-7 Sarah True - Triathlon
OD-8 Tatyana McFadden - Track & Field
OD-9 Carlin Isles - Rugby
OD-10 Kim Rhode - Shooting
OD-11 Missy Franklin - Swimming
OD-12 Steven Lopez - Taekwondo
OD-13 April Ross - Volleyball
OD-15 McLain Ward - Equestrian
OD-16 Adeline Gray - Wrestling
OD-17 Candace Parker - Basketball
OD-18 Sue Bird - Basketball
OD-19 Gabby Douglas - Gymnastics
OD-20 Ryan Lochte - Swimming
OD-21 Michael Phelps - Swimming
OD-22 Simone Biles - Gymnastics
OD-23 Connor Fields - Cycling - BMX
OD-24 Brady Ellison - Archery
OD-25 Natalie Coughlin - Swimming
Olympic Medals Commemorative Relic Set Checklist
Silver Medal
Gold Medal
U.S. Team Relics Set Checklist
USOTR-ARO April Ross - Volleyball
USOTR-AW Abby Wambach - Soccer
USOTR-BG Brittney Griner - Basketball
USOTR-CD Conor Dwyer - Swimming
USOTR-CI Carlin Isles - Rugby
USOTR-CP Candace Parker - Basketball
USOTR-CS Claressa Shields - Boxing
USOTR-DT Diana Taurasi - Basketball
USOTR-ED Elena Delle Donne - Basketball
USOTR-GD Gabby Douglas - Gymnastics
USOTR-HA Haley Anderson - Swimming
USOTR-HMA Holley Mangold - Weightlifting
USOTR-JD Jake Dalton - Gymnastics
USOTR-KH Kayla Harrison - Judo
USOTR-KRH Kim Rhode - Shooting
USOTR-MG Matt Grevers - Swimming
USOTR-MH Madison Hughes - Rugby
USOTR-MM Maya Moore - Basketball
USOTR-MP Michael Phelps - Swimming
USOTR-MR Megan Rapinoe - Soccer
USOTR-MZ Mariel Zagunis - Fencing
USOTR-NC Natalie Coughlin - Swimming
USOTR-PS Paige Selenski - Field Hockey
USOTR-RG Rulon Gardner - Wrestling
USOTR-RL Ryan Lochte - Swimming
USOTR-SB Simone Biles - Gymnastics
USOTR-SBI Sue Bird - Basketball
USOTR-SLO Steven Lopez - Taekwondo
USOTR-SM Sam Mikulak - Gymnastics
USA Flag Patch Commemorative Relic Set Checklist
USAF-AR Aly Raisman - Gymnastics
USAF-ARO April Ross - Volleyball
USAF-AW Abby Wambach - Soccer
USAF-BG Brittney Griner - Basketball
USAF-CI Carlin Isles - Rugby
USAF-CP Candace Parker - Basketball
USAF-CS Claressa Shields - Boxing
USAF-DT Diana Taurasi - Basketball
USAF-ED Elena Delle Donne - Basketball
USAF-GD Gabby Douglas - Gymnastics
USAF-KH Kayla Harrison - Judo
USAF-MF Missy Franklin - Swimming
USAF-MM Maya Moore - Basketball
USAF-MP Michael Phelps - Swimming
USAF-MR Megan Rapinoe - Soccer
USAF-NA Nathan Adrian - Swimming
USAF-NC Natalie Coughlin - Swimming
USAF-PB Perry Baker - Rugby
USAF-PS Paige Selenski - Field Hockey
USAF-RL Ryan Lochte - Swimming
USAF-SB Simone Biles - Gymnastics
USAF-SBI Sue Bird - Basketball
USAF-SM Sam Mikulak - Gymnastics
US Olympic Team Crest Patches Commemorative Relic Set Checklist
USTC-AR April Ross - Volleyball
USTC-ARA Aly Raisman - Gymnastics
USTC-AW Abby Wambach - Soccer
USTC-BG Brittney Griner - Basketball
USTC-CI Carlin Isles - Rugby
USTC-CP Candace Parker - Basketball
USTC-CS Claressa Shields - Boxing
USTC-DT Diana Taurasi - Basketball
USTC-ED Elena Delle Donne - Basketball
USTC-GD Gabby Douglas - Gymnastics
USTC-KH Kayla Harrison - Judo
USTC-MF Missy Franklin - Swimming
USTC-MM Maya Moore - Basketball
USTC-MP Michael Phelps - Swimming
USTC-MR Megan Rapinoe - Soccer
USTC-NA Nathan Adrian - Swimming
USTC-NC Natalie Coughlin - Swimming
USTC-PB Perry Baker - Rugby
USTC-PS Paige Selenski - Field Hockey
USTC-RL Ryan Lochte - Swimming
USTC-SB Sue Bird - Basketball
USTC-SBI Simone Biles - Gymnastics
USTC-SM Sam Mikulak - Gymnastics
US Olympic Team Patch Commemorative Relic Set Checklist
USAP-AR April Ross - Volleyball
USAP-ARA Aly Raisman - Gymnastics
USAP-AW Abby Wambach - Soccer
USAP-BG Brittney Griner - Basketball
USAP-CI Carlin Isles - Rugby
USAP-CP Candace Parker - Basketball
USAP-CS Claressa Shields - Boxing
USAP-DT Diana Taurasi - Basketball
USAP-ED Elena Delle Donne - Basketball
USAP-GD Gabby Douglas - Gymnastics
USAP-KH Kayla Harrison - Judo
USAP-MF Missy Franklin - Swimming
USAP-MM Maya Moore - Basketball
USAP-MP Michael Phelps - Swimming
USAP-MR Megan Rapinoe - Soccer
USAP-NA Nathan Adrian - Swimming
USAP-NC Natalie Coughlin - Swimming
USAP-PB Perry Baker - Rugby
USAP-PS Paige Selenski - Field Hockey
USAP-RL Ryan Lochte - Swimming
USAP-SB Sue Bird - Basketball
USAP-SBI Simone Biles - Gymnastics
USAP-SM Sam Mikulak - Gymnastics
Product Review
2016 Topps US Olympic and Paralympic Team Hopefuls
Product Review
Reviewed by Trey Treutel
Good: Price point is reasonable, most boxes have extra hits.
Bad: Very generic feel, too many commemorative relics, uneven checklist.
The Bottom Line: As the sole Olympic product for the Rio games, 2016 Topps US Olympic and Paralympic Team Hopefuls (doesn’t quite roll off the tongue) gives collectors something to chase, and this is a good thing. However, the product is really bland and even extra hits make it a tough proposition.
Card Design: 2.5/5.0
So, the entirety of the box is base or base parallels, two different inserts and then the hits. The base set design takes close-up images of most athletes, many of which are airbrushed to just a plain, one-color top or outfit, and adds a large Team USA logo in the corner. The small bio on the back is a nice refresher, especially for the athletes I was not as familiar with.
I guess the appeal in my mind for this set is the mix of sports and I would think this would be a great opportunity to showcase athletes in action shots from their chosen fields. Instead, we get a lot of seemingly-posed photos that get boring in a hurry. The parallels are fairly subtle but I actually like the simplicity of the medal-themed foil differences (Bronze, Silver & Gold) and they are still easy to spot, in my opinion.
Then there are the two basic inserts. On the design front, Closing Ceremony is fine. Not remarkable, but a nice break from the base. The red and blue frame at the bottom is a little obnoxious but it is still interesting to see the earlier games. Olympic Disciplines is the other insert and somehow these are even more plain than the base with a horizontal layout that ends up with the card being over 1/3 diagonal frame.
The rest of 2016 Topps US Olympic and Paralympic Team Hopefuls is the “hit” cards. In addition to sticker autographs and penny-sized jersey relics, there are four different commemorative relics.
Checklist: 3.5/5.0
As previously stated, the Olympics are exciting because of all the different things thrown together. However, when you see this checklist, the games seem much more narrow in scope. The athletes included are heavy on swimming and women’s basketball with much more limited coverage for the remaining sports.
Arguably the most popular team at the entire Olympics would be US men’s basketball team but they are nowhere to be found. I realize that this deals with licensing (Panini owns rights to men’s USA Basketball) but it is just a crazy concept to understand. Track & Field is also woefully underserved.
When it comes to signers, the window shrinks even more. The autograph checklist is heavily centered on women’s basketball and swimming with nearly half consisting of just those two sports. On the other hand, it may end up being huge that Topps managed to get Simone Biles (gymnast) to sign, so that could help a lot going forward if she produces as expected. Although he already signed a good amount in previous products, Phelps is another big signer.
Value: 3.75/5.0
Like many sets, the only aspect that has consistent value is the autographs. Because the focus is on current athletes — even the Champions insert — that definitely limits the value potential as previous sets had multiple former greats included. Having said that, there are some stronger current names in play, including Michael Phelps and Simone Biles.
It is no mistake that many of the boxes under-promise and over-deliver the guaranteed hits and this does help value if you end up pulling an extra autograph (like my box did) instead of just an extra relic. The box I opened included five total hits. That is the definition of added value. I have not seen a ton of other breaks, but some boxes have as many as six hits, including three autographs, and I don't recall seeing one that had less than four hits. Based on this, the value does increase but you are essentially banking on that trend continuing throughout the run. If every box had just the one autograph and two relics, the value would dip greatly.
The Fun Factor: 3.5/5.0
Pulling extra hits is fun. Getting two notable autographs from a weaker list of signers is very fun. Despite this isolated instance, I can’t honestly say the enjoyment would have been the same had I gotten the advertised hits or less-desirable autographs. To me, most of the cards aren't very visually appealing, the checklist is inconsistent and the overall coverage is disappointing. No number of extra hits can change that.
2016 Topps US Olympic and Paralympic Team Hopefuls Box Hit Gallery
The box used for this review was provided by Topps.
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lance graham
it sux theres no card #37 in the set