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On Jul. 26, 2024, 592 US Olympians were sailing down the Seine in Paris alongside more than 10,000 athletes. Each one stemming from grassroots level programs of their respective nations, they aim at biting the gold medal for their country.
A total of 102 US Olympians of the nearly 600 have a Southeastern Conference connection, touching more than 10 sports. With that, let’s look at all the SEC programs that cultivated Olympic-level athletes representing the US.
US Olympians from SEC school at the 2024 Olympics in Paris
#10. (Tie) Missouri Tigers, Mississippi State Bulldogs & Auburn Tigers - 1 each
The three programs combine for 24 athletes from multiple sports in Paris. However, only 12.5% of those Olympians are representing the US. Karissa Schweizer (Missouri) and Curtis Thompson (Mississippi State) partake in Track and Field while Suni Lee (Auburn) is in Gymnastics.
#9. Oklahoma Sooners - 2
Vernon Turner and James Frashchilla represent the USA in Track & Field and 3x3 Basketball respectively.
#8. (Tie) Ole Miss, South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Alabama - 3 each
The four programs combine for nine Track & Field athletes: Sam Kendricks, Raven Saunders and McKenzie Long (Ole Miss), Quincy Hall and Mechelle Freeman from Gamecocks, Veronica Fraley and Ashley Kovacs (Vanderbilt) alongside Shelby McEwen and Daniel Haugh from Alabama.
Joni Taylor and WNBA legend A'ja Wilson participate in basketball alongside Lily Williams in cycling.
#7. Tennessee - 5
Tennessee is diversly represented by US Olympians through Christian Coleman (Track & Field), Cierra Burdick (3x3 basketball), Eriko Connolly (Swimming), Kara Lawson (Basketball) and Kelsey Robinson Cook (Volleyball).
#6. (Tied) LSU and Georgia - 7 each
Four T&F professionals Vernon Norwood, Sha'Carri Richardson, JuVaugh Harrison and Aleia Hobbs stem from LSU with Brooks Curry (Swimming), Kristen Nuss (Beach Volleyball) and Taryn Kloth (Volleyball).
Georgia generated three swimmers in Nic Fink, Luca Urlando and Chase Kalisz alongside Track duo Aaliyah Butler and Keturah Orji. Croix Bethune (soccer) and Anthony Edwards (basketball) also hail from the program.
#5. Texas A&M - 9
US Olympians from the Aggies include six Track & Field athletes: Shamier Little, Maggie Malone-Hardin, Jacob Wooten, Fred Kerley, Bryce Deadmon and Brandon Miller. The other three are Austin Krajicek (tennis), Shaine Cesas (Swimming) and Joni Taylor (basketball).
#4. Kentucky - 11
While Devin Booker, Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis represent USA Basketball alongside Rhyne Howards in 3x3, T&F remains dominant in the Wildcats program through six athletes.
#3. Arkansas - 12
Eleven Track & Field US Olympians stem from the Razorbacks alongside Joscelyn Robertson as the only gymnast in Paris.
#2. Texas - 17
Carol Capitani from swimming is one of the three coaches with ties to the Longhorns behind six swimmers. Alison Gibson and Scottie Scheffler are lone Olympians for diving and golf respectively alongside two athletes each from rowing and Track & Field.
#1. Florida - 20
41 athletes in Paris have roots tied to the Gators alongside 20 US Olympians: seven in Track & Field, five in swimming, one in tennis and two each in gymnastics and 3x3 basketball.
