UT institutions’ athletes shine on world’s biggest stage

AUSTIN, TX (Aug. 13, 2024) — Student and alumni athletes from University of Texas institutions made an impressive impact at the XXXIII Olympiad in Paris, with 15 competitors from UT institutions winning 21 medals, including nine gold. If the UT System were its own nation, it would have ranked 12th in the overall medal count.

Five UT institutions were represented by 40 Olympians at the Games, including 30 from UT Austin, five from UT El Paso, three from UT San Antonio, one from UT Arlington, and one from UTHealth Houston.

Thirteen UT Austin student and alumni athletes claimed 16 medals — six gold, seven silver and three bronze — making it UT Austin’s most successful Olympics since 1984. Additionally, a student from UT Arlington and an alumna of UTHealth Houston, together won five medals for the U.S. — three golds, a silver and a bronze.

“The last two weeks were captivating for the entire world and offered a special source of excitement and joy for everyone affiliated with UT,” said Kevin P. Eltife, chairman of the UT System Board of Regents. “The extraordinary Olympians who trained in athletics and received their education at UT institutions made us all especially proud of their accomplishments.”

Gabby Thomas, who received a master’s degree in public health from UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, won three gold medals: in the women’s 200-meter dash, and as part of the USA’s 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter relay teams. The 4x400 relay team set a new American record.

In the 200 meters, Thomas edged out UT Austin alum Julien Alfred, who took the silver, and earlier earned the first Olympic gold medal for Saint Lucia with a stunning victory in the 100-meter final.

Former Longhorn and current NBA star Kevin Durant became the first male athlete in Olympics history to win four gold medals in a team sport when USA Basketball defeated France in the men’s gold-medal game. Durant became the all-time leading scorer in USA Basketball history in the semifinal comeback victory against Serbia.

UT Austin alums Tara Davis-Woodhall (long jump), Ryan Crouser (men’s shot put) and Scottie Scheffler (golf) each won gold medals for the U.S. Chiaka Ogbogu helped the U.S. take silver in women’s indoor volleyball. Three former Longhorn swimmers — Luke Hobson, Carson Foster and Drew Kibler — led the American men’s team to a silver medal in the 800 freestyle relay. Foster (400-meter individual medley) and Hobson (200-meter freestyle) also each won bronze in their individual events.

UT Arlington’s Austen Smith, an aerospace engineering major, earned a silver medal in mixed team skeet shooting for the U.S. and a bronze in individual skeet shooting. 

Three more UT Austin Olympians won medals for their home countries: Hubert Kós (Hungary) took gold in the men’s 200-meter backstroke; Leo Neugebauer (Germany), earned silver in men’s decathlon; and Casper Corbeau (Netherlands) claimed bronze in the men’s 200-meter breaststroke.

“We are immensely proud of the UT students and alumni who reached the pinnacle in their sport and excellence on the global stage,” said UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken. “They inspired our entire state.”