List of Olympians
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This is a list of Olympians, including all athletes who have competed in the modern Olympic Games who have some connection to the Birmingham area:
1928 Amsterdam
- Snitz Snider, represented the United States in the men's 400-meter race. Competed for Auburn University, taught at Howard College, and coached at Bessemer High School.
1932 Los Angeles
- Percy Beard, represented the United States in the men's 110-meter hurdles. Competed for Auburn University.
1948 London
- Whitney Overton, represented the United States in the men's steeplechase. Competed for Auburn University.
1952 Helsinki
- Jim Dillon, represented the United States in the men's discus throw. Competed for Auburn University.
1960 Rome
- Otis Davis, born in Tuscaloosa, won the gold medal in the men's 400-meter race (setting a new world record of 44.9 seconds) and as part of the 4x400-meter relay (setting a new world record of 3:02.2) for the United States.
1968 Mexico City
1968 Grenoble
- JoJo Starbuck, represented the United States in pairs figure skating. Born in Birmingham.
1972 Munich
- Robin Backhaus, won silver in the men's 200-meter butterfly for the United States. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Mark Crocker, swam for Hong Kong. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Colin Herring swam for New Zealand. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Jacques Leloup, swam for Belgium. Competed for the University of Alabama.
1972 Sapporo
- JoJo Starbuck, represented the United States in pairs figure skating. Born in Birmingham.
1976 Montreal
- Jack Babashoff, won silver in the men's 100-meter freestyle swim for the United States. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Carlos Berrocal, swam for Puerto Rico. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Casey Converse, swam for the United States. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Mark Crocker, swam for Hong Kong. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Bill Forrester, represented the United States in the men's 200-meter butterfly swim. Competed for Auburn University.
- Disa Gisladottir, represented Iceland in the women's high jump. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Harvey Glance, represented the United States in the men's 100-meter race and 400-meter relay. Competed for Auburn University.
- Christina Jarvis, swam for Great Britain. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Willie Smith, represented the United States as an alternate for the men's 400-meter relay. Competed for Auburn University.
- Mark Tonelli, swam for Australia. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Jeff Van de Graaf, swam for Australia. Competed for the University of Alabama.
1980 Moscow
- Stanley Floyd, represented the United States in the men's 100-meter and 400-meter relay. Competed for Auburn University.
- Bill Forrester, represented the United States in the men's 200-meter butterfly swim. Competed for Auburn University.
- Rowdy Gaines, represented the United States in the men's 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle swim. Competed for Auburn University.
- Harvey Glance, represented the United States in the men's 100-meter and 400-meter relay. Competed for Auburn University.
- Per Johansson, represented Sweden in the men's 100-meter freestyle swim. Competed for Auburn University.
- Marcello Juca, swam for Brazil. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Max Metzger, won bronze in the men's 1,500-meter freestyle swim for Australia. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Willie Smith, represented the United States in the men's 4x100 and 4x400-meter relays. Competed for Auburn University.
- Mark Tonelli, won gold in the men's 400-meter medley relay swim for Australia. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- James Walker, represented the United States in the men's 400-meter hurdles. Competed for Auburn University.
- Arne Borgstrom, made Norwegian Olympic team, which boycotted. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Cameron Henning, made Canadian Olympic team, which boycotted. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Glenn Mills, made United States Olympic team, which boycotted. Competed for the University of Alabama.
1984 Los Angeles
- Evelyn Adiru, represented Uganda in the women's 800-meter race. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Ricardo Aldabe, swam for Spain. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Laura Agront, represented Puerto Rico in the women's high jump. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Laurence Bensimon, swam for France. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Katrine Bornstad, swam for Norway. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Carole Brooke, swam for Switzerland. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Carmel Clark, swam for New Zealand. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Reita Clanton, represented the United States on the women's handball team. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Filberto Colon, swam for Puerto Rico. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Mike Davidson, swam for New Zealand. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Pauline Davis, represented the Bahamas in the women's 100-meter and 200-meter races. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Anna Doig, swam for New Zealand. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Disa Gisladottir, represented Iceland in the women's high jump. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Iris Gronfeldt, represented Iceland in the women's javelin throw. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Cam Henning, won bronze in the men's 200-meter backstroke for Canada. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Frank Iacano, swam for France. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Michael Jordan, won gold as a member of the United States men's basketball team. Competed for the Birmingham Barons.
- Marcello Juca, swam for Brazil. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Emmit King, represented the United States in track and field. Graduate of Hueytown High School. Competed for Jefferson State Community College and the University of Alabama.
- Angelika Knipping, swam for West Germany. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Lillie Leatherwood, won gold in the women's 4x400-meter relay for the United States. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Justin Lemberg, won bronze in the men's 400-meter freestyle relay swim for Australia. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Carl Lewis, won gold in the men's 100-meter & 200-meter sprints, 4x100-meter relay and long jump for the United States. Born in Birmingham.
- Felix Morf, swam for Switzerland. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Mark Rourke, swam for Canada. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Enrique Romero, swam for Spain. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Andreas Schmidt, swam for West Germany. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Jon Sieben, won gold in the men's 200-meter butterfly swim for Australia. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Tony Portela, swam for Puerto Rico. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Peter Berndt, made East German Olympic team, which boycotted. Competed for the University of Alabama.
1988 Seoul
- Katie Anderson, represented Canada in the women's 4x100-meter relay. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Peter Berndt, swam for West Germany. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Grace Buzu, represented Uganda in the women's 4x100-meter relay. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Pauline Davis, represented the Bahamas in the women's 100-meter and 200-meter races. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Rita Garay, swam for Puerto Rico. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Iris Gronfeldt, represented Iceland in the women's javelin throw. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Emmit King, represented the United States in track and field. Graduate of Hueytown High School. Competed for Jefferson State Community College and the University of Alabama.
- Lillie Leatherwood, won silver in the women's 4x400-meter relay. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Carl Lewis, won gold in the men's 100-meter and long jump, and silver in the men's 200-meter race for the United States. Born in Birmingham.
- Liz Lynch McColgan, won silver in the 10,000-meter run for Great Britain. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Ragga Runolfsdottir, swam for Iceland. Competed for the University of Alabama.
1992 Barcelona
- Katie Anderson, represented Canada in the women's 100-meter hurdles. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Charles Barkley, won gold with the United States men's basketball team. Born in Leeds and graduated from Leeds High School and Auburn University.
- Pauline Davis, won silver in the women's 4x400-meter relay for Canada and competed in the 200m and 400m races and 4x400-meter relay. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Diane Frances, represented St Kitts in the women's 400-meter and 4x400-meter races. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Rita Garay, swam for Puerto Rico. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Flora Hyacinth, represented the Virgin Islands in the women's long jump and triple jump. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Faith Idehen, represented Nigeria in the women's 4x100-meter relay. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Michael Jordan, won gold as a member of the United States men's basketball team. Competed for the Birmingham Barons.
- Carl Lewis, won gold in the men's 4x100-meter relay and long jump for the United States. Born in Birmingham.
- Liz Lynch McColgan, represented Great Britain in the women's 10,000-meter run. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Stavros Michaelides, swam for Cyprus. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Jon Olsen, won gold in the men's 400-meter freestyle and medley relay swims and bronze in the 800-meter freestyle relay for the United States. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Christy Opara-Thompson, won bronze in the women's 4x100-meter relay. Opened Body & Soul Fitness in Birmingham.
- Ellen Owen, swam for the United States. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Mark Rourke, swam for Canada. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Ragga Runolfsdottir, swam for Iceland. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Helga Runolfsdottir, swam for Iceland. Competed for the University of Alabama.
1994 Lillehammer
- Picabo Street, won silver in women's downhill skiing for the United States. Lives part-time in Birmingham.
1996 Atlanta
- Charles Barkley, won gold with the United States men's basketball team. Born in Leeds and graduated from Leeds High School and Auburn University.
- Carl Lewis, won gold in the men's long jump for the United States. Born in Birmingham.
- Scott Tucker, won gold as part of the United States 4x100-meter freestyle swim team. Born in Birmingham.
1998 Nagano
- Picabo Street, won gold in women's Suoer-G ski event. Lives part-time in Birmingham.
2000 Sydney
- Katie Anderson, represented Canada in the women's 100-meter hurdles. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Oren Azrad, swam for Israel. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Rafael Alvarez, swam for Spain. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Spiros Bitsakis, swam for Greece. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Pauline Davis, won gold in the women's 4x100-meter relay and silver in the 200-meter race for the Bahamas. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Rania Elwani, swam for Egypt. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Stefan Gherghel, swam for Romania. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Stavros Michaelides, swam for Cyprus. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- DeDee Nathan, represented the United States in the women's heptathlon. Born in Birmingham.
- Anne Poleska, swam for Germany. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Scott Tucker, won silver as part of the United States 4x100-meter freestyle swim team. Born in Birmingham.
- Glen Walshaw, swam for Zimbabwe. Competed for the University of Alabama.
2002 Salt Lake City
- Vonetta Flowers, won gold in the 2-woman bobsleigh. Born in Birmingham and graduated from Jackson-Olin High School and UAB.
- Picabo Street, represented the United States in women's downhill skiing. Lives part-time in Birmingham.
- John Zimmeman, represented the United States in pairs figure skating. Born in Birmingham and graduated from Homewood High School.
2004 Athens
- Bearden Asby, swam for Zimbabwe. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Spiros Bitsakis, swam for Greece. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Agustina de Giovanni, swam for Argentina. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Igor Erhartic, swam for Serbia. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Stefen Ghergel, swam for Romania. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Kelly Kretschman, won gold with the United States women's softball team. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Hanna Muliska, swam for Switzerland. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Anne Poleska, won bronze in the women's 200-meter breaststroke for Germany. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Vlad Polyakov, swam for Kazakhstan. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Cat Reddick, won gold as part of the women's soccer team. Graduated from Briarwood Christian School.
- Arlene Semeco, swam for Venezuela. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Apostolis Tsagkarakis, swam for Greece. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Susan Bartholomew Williams, won bronze in the women's triathlon for the United States. Competed for the University of Alabama.
2008 Beijing
- Stefan Ghergel, swam for Romania. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Agustina de Giovanni, swam for Argentina. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Kelly Kretschman, won silver with the United States women's softball team. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Hunor Mate, swam for Austria. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Anne Poleska, swam for Germany. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Vlad Polyakov, swam for Kazakhstan. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Arlene Semeco, swam for Venezula. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Apostolis Tsagkarakis, swam for Greece. Competed for the University of Alabama.
- Deontay Wilder, won bronze in men's heavyweight boxing for the United States. Born in Tuscaloosa and graduated from Tuscaloosa Central High School.
2012 London
- Trey Hardee, won silver in the men's decathlon for the United States. Born in Birmingham and graduated from Vestavia Hills High School.
- Kirani James, won gold in the men's 400-meter race for Grenada. Competed for the University of Alabama.
2016 Rio de Janeiro
- Kirani James won the silver medal for Grenada in the men's 400-meter race.
- Sarah Robles won a bronze medal for the U.S. in the women's +75kg weightlifting event.
2021 Tokyo
- Nathon Allen anchored Jamaica's 6th-place men's 4x100 relay team and competed in the 400-meter race.
- Yvonne Anderson starred for Serbia's women's basketball team. She formerly played at Hoover High School.
- Kalia Antoniou competed in the women's 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle swimming events.
- Zach Apple won two gold medals for the U.S. in men's swimming relays. Formerly a swimmer at Auburn University
- Remona Burchell ran in the qualifying heats for Jamaica's gold medal-winning women's 4x100-meter relay team.
- Quanesha Burks competed in the women's long jump for the U.S.
- Emily Carosone was designated hitter for Italy's softball team.
- Mercelo Chierighini anchored the 8th-place 4x100-meter freestyle swimming relay for Brazil.
- Brandon Dickson pitched for the silver medal-winning U.S. baseball team. He formerly attended Central Alabama Community College.
- Rachel Dincoff competed in discus for the U.S.
- Kristian Gkolomeev, competed in sever swimming events for Greece.
- Santiago Grassi competed for Argentina in the men's 100-meter butterfly and 50-meter freestyle swimming events.
- Daniel Haugh finished 11th in the hammer throw for the U.S.
- Kirani James won the bronze medal for Grenada in the men's 400-meter race.
- Leonie Kullman competed in several swimming events for Germany.
- Annie Lazor won the bronze in the women's 200-meter breaststroke.
- Suni Lee, won gold for the U.S. in the women's all-around gymnastics competition. From St Paul, Minnesota, but planning to attend Auburn University on a gymnastics scholarship.
- Luis Martinez finished 7th in the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming event for Guatemala.
- Haylie McCleney played for silver medal-winning U.S. softball team. She formerly attended Mortimer Jordan High School.
- Natassha McDonald competed in the women's 400-meter track event for Canada.
- Shelby McEwen finished 12th in the men's high jump for the U.S.
- Anton McKee competed in the men's 200-meter breaststroke swimming event for Iceland.
- Stephanie Meadow finished 7th in the women's golf event for Ireland.
- Julie Meynen completed in the women's 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle swim events for Luxembourg.
- Shallon Olsen finished 7th in the women's gymnastics vault final for Canada.
- Diana Petkova competed in the 50-meter breaststroke and 200-meter individual medley for Bulgaria.
- Tim Puetz competed in men's doubles tennis for Germany.
- Abbas Qali competed for Kuwait in the men's 100-meter butterfly swim event.
- Jereem Richards finished 8th in the final of the 200-meter dash and ran the 2nd leg for the 4x400-meter relay for Trinidad & Tobago.
- David Robertson pitched for the silver medal-winning U.S. baseball team. He formerly attended Paul Bryant High School.
- Sarah Robles won a bronze medal for the U.S. in the women's +87kg weightlifting event.
- Adriel Sanes competed for the U.S. Virgin Islands in the men's 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke.
- Kai Selvon ran for Trinidad & Tobago in the women's 4x100-meter relay track event.
- Donald Thomas qualified for the Bahamas in the men's high jump.
- Justin Thomas competed in men's golf for the United States, finishing 22nd.
- Merel van Dongen played on the women's soccer team for the Netherlands.
- Portious Warren finished 11th in women's shot put for Trinidad & Tobago.
- Rhyan White won a silver medal having swum the qualifying heats for the women's 4x100-meter medley relay. She finished 4th in the women's 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke finals.
2024 Paris
- Gymnastics
- Suni Lee, former Auburn Tigers gymnast, won bronze medals in the women's artistic individual all-around, and on women's uneven bars, and was part of the USA's gold medal-winning all-around team. She finished 6th on balance beam, and 24th in women's individual floor.
- Shallon Olsen, former Alabama gymnast, competed in women's artistic gymnastics for Canada and finished 8th in the individual all-around final and 5th in the team all-around final.
- Luisa Blanco, former Alabama Crimson Tide gymnast, competed in women's artistic gymnastics for Colombia and finished 23rd in the individual all-around final.
- Track and Field
- Olivia Fotopoulou, former Alabama runner, finished 7th in heat 2 of the 1st round of the women's 100-meter and 8th in semifinal 3 of the women's 200-meter races, competing for Cyprus.
- Daniel Haugh, former Alabama thrower, fouled out of competition for Team USA in the men's hammer throw.
- Kirani James, former Alabama runner, finished 5th in the men's 400-meter final, competing for Grenada.
- Curtis Thompson, Spain Park High School assistant coach, finished 13th in the men's javelin throw for Team USA.
- Makanakaishe Charamba, former Auburn runner, finished 8th in the men's 200-meter final for Zimbabwe.
- Portious Warren, former Alabama putter, finished 10th in the women's shot put for Trinidad and Tobago
- Donald Thomas, former Auburn athlete, competed in the men's high jump for the Bahamas, but received no mark.
- JuVaughan Harrison, former Columbia High School athlete, finished 9th in the men's high jump for Team USA.
- Shelby McEwen, former Alabama athlete, won the silver medal in the men's high jump for Team USA.
- Ebony Morrison, former Auburn runner, competed in the women's 100-meter hurdles for Liberia, but the team was disqualified in the semifinals.
- Kayinsola Ajayi, former Auburn athlete, finished 6th in semifinal 2 in the 100-meter race and was a member of the men's 4x400-meter relay for Nigeria, but the team was disqualified in heat 2 of the 1st round.
- Azeem Fahmi, former Auburn athlete, finished 9th in heat 2 of the 1st round of the 100-meter race for Malaysia.
- Favour Ashe, former Auburn athlete, finished 6th in semifinal 1 in the 100-meter race for Nigeria and was on the 7th place team in the Men's 4x100-meter relay final.
- Samuel Ogazi, Alabama athlete, finished 7th in the men's 400-meter final for Nigeria, 4th in the mixed 4x400-meter relay, and was a member of the men's 4x400-meter relay team that was disqualified in heat 2 of the 1st round.
- Tarsis Orogot, Alabama athlete, finished 6th in the 1st semifinal of the men's 200-meter race for Uganda.
- Jareem Richards, former Alabama athlete, finished 4th in the men's 400-meter final for Trinidad and Tobago and 8th in the men's 4x400-meter relay.
- Golf
- Stephanie Meadow, former Alabama golfer, finished 39th in round 4 in women's golf for Northern Ireland.
- Sepp Straka, Vestavia Hills resident, finished 35th in round 4 in men's golf for Austria.
- Tennis
- Erin Routliffe, former Alabama tennis player, lost in the 1st round of women's doubles, competing for New Zealand.
- Tim Pütz, former Auburn tennis player, lost in the quarterfinals of men's doubles, competing for Germany.
- Swimming
- Kalia Antoniou, former Alabama swimmer, finished 6th in the 2nd heat of the women's 100-meter freestyle, competing for Cyprus.
- Marcelo Chierighini, Auburn swimmer, finished 8th in heat 9 of the men's 100-meter freestyle, and was part of the 4x100-meter relay team which finished 4th in heat 2 for Brazil.
- McKenna DeBever, Auburn swimmer, finished 5th in heat 2 of the women's 200-meter individual medley, competing for Peru.
- Kristian Gkolomeev, former Alabama swimmer, finished 5th in the men's 50-meter freestyle final, competing for Greece.
- Victor Johansson , former Alabama swimmer, finished 3rd in the 2nd heat of the men's 1500-meter freestyle, 7th in the 3rd heat of the men's 800-meter freestyle, and 5th in the 3rd heat of the men's 400-meter freestyle, competing for Sweden.
- Matt King, former Alabama swimmer, won a gold medal with Team USA in the men's 4x100 freestyle relay.
- Anton McKee, former Alabama swimmer, finished 8th in semifinal 2 for the men's 200-meter breaststroke, and 1st in heat 2 for the men's 100-meter breaststroke, competing for Iceland.
- Kyle Micallef, Alabama signee, finished 2nd in heat 5 of the men's 50-meter freestyle, competing for Malta.
- Valerie Tarazi, Auburn swimmer, finished 2nd in heat 1 of the women's 200-meter individual medley, competing for Palestine.
- Soccer
- Tanner Tessman, member of Birmingham United Soccer Association, competed as part of Team USA's men's soccer team which lost to Morocco in the quarterfinal.
- Nicole Payne, former Oak Mountain High School soccer player, competed for Nigeria's women's soccer team, which failed to advance to the quarterfinals.
- Toni Payne, former Oak Mountain High School soccer player, competed for Nigeria's women's soccer team, which failed to advance to the quarterfinals.
- Diving
- Mohamed Farouk, former Alabama diver, competed in men's 3-meter springboard for Egypt, but did not advance to the semifinal.
- Emily Hallifax, former Auburn diver, finished 8th in the women's 10-meter synchronized platform final for France.
- Basketball
- J. T. Thor, former Auburn basketball player, competed for South Sudan's men's basketball team, which failed to advance to the quarterfinals.
See also
References
- Olympic Athletes Born in Alabama at ranker.com
- All-Time Olympians at auburntigers.com
- Inabinett, Mark (August 8, 2021) "Alabama athletes win 16 Olympic medals in Tokyo." The Birmingham News
- Taylor, Drew (July 26, 2024) "Here are the athletes with Alabama ties who will be competing for the gold in the Paris Olympics." CBS42.com
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