USC’s Olympians Shine at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games
In an impressive display of athletic prowess, the University of Southern California (USC) had a significant presence at the 2024 Olympic Games held in Paris. This summer, a total of 67 alumni, current students, and incoming athletes represented USC, encompassing 26 nations and competing in nine sports. The Trojan athletes excelled, with 13 of them earning medals and collectively achieving a remarkable 15 medals, including two golds by Rai Benjamin and two bronzes by Nicole Yeargin. This legacy of excellence can be traced back through the history of USC and its deep connection to the Olympics.
USC stands out as a premier institution in terms of Olympic participation, boasting the highest number of Olympians, gold medalists, and overall medalists among universities in the United States. Furthermore, it has the distinction of having hosted actual Olympic events, including swimming competitions during the 1984 Games at what is now known as the Uytengsu Aquatics Center.
The university’s Olympic journey began in 1904, when Emil Breitkreutz, a USC alumnus from the class of 1906, earned a bronze medal in the men’s 800-meter run at the St. Louis Games. Notably, USC is unique among universities in the United States for possessing an Olympic torch displayed in its football stadium, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where it is ceremoniously lit during football games, particularly in the fourth quarter.
Remarkably, a Trojan athlete has secured at least one gold medal in every Summer Olympics since 1912. This includes the U.S.-boycotted Moscow Games in 1980, during which swimmer Michelle Ford, representing Australia, won a gold medal in the 800-meter freestyle event.
The leading Olympic accomplishments of Trojan athletes in 2024 were as follows:
– Rai Benjamin: Two Gold Medals, USA (Men’s 400m Hurdles)
– Croix Bethune: Gold Medal, USA (Women’s Soccer)
– Aaron Brown & Andre De Grasse: Gold Medal, Canada (Men’s 4x100m Relay)
– Micah Christenson: Bronze Medal, USA (Men’s Volleyball)
– Anna Cockrell: Silver Medal, USA (Women’s 400m Hurdles)
– Hannes Daube: Bronze Medal, USA (Men’s Water Polo)
– Anni Espar: Gold Medal, Spain (Women’s Water Polo)
– Yemi John: Bronze Medal, Great Britain (Women’s 4x400m Relay)
– Tilly Kearns: Silver Medal, Australia (Women’s Water Polo)
– Twanisha Terry: Gold Medal, USA (Women’s 100m)
– Marko Vavic: Bronze Medal, USA (Men’s Water Polo)
– Nicole Yeargin: Two Bronze Medals, Great Britain (Women’s 4x400m)
The legacy of USC’s Olympians not only showcases the university’s commitment to fostering world-class athletes but also highlights the institution’s proud history in the international arena. This remarkable achievement at the 2024 Olympic Games further cements USC’s reputation as a breeding ground for sports excellence.
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