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Olivia Sayer
Anthony Edwards (5) reacts in the fourth quarter against Brazil in a men’s basketball quarterfinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. (Courtesy/Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
The University of Georgia sent over 30 former, current and future athletes to the Paris 2024 Olympics. It did not come home empty handed, as the Bulldogs earned six medals, with four athletes obtaining gold.
Swimming alumnus Nic Fink earned his first three career-Olympic medals in likely his last Summer Games. The 31-year-old began his competition with a silver finish in the men’s 100-meter breaststroke. Fink tied with Great Britain’s Adam Peaty in a thrilling race that saw them miss out on gold by two-hundredths of a second.
Fink then earned his gold medal by setting a world record with Ryan Murphy, Gretchen Walsh and Torri Huske in the mixed 4x100m medley relay. On the final day of Olympic swimming, he teamed up with Murphy, Florida alumnus Caeleb Dressel and Hunter Armstrong to earn silver in the men’s 4x100m medley relay.
Former star on the court Anthony Edwards helped Team USA win its fifth straight gold medal in men’s basketball. Edwards entered the gold medal game as the United States’ second-leading scorer behind LeBron James and is the first Bulldog to finish on top since Vern Fleming in 1984.
Current track and field standout Aaliyah Butler represented the United States in the first round of the women’s 4×400-meter relay. The group of Butler, Quanera Hayes, Shamir Little and Kaylyn Brown won its prelims, while Little, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas and Alexis Holmes secured gold in the finals.
Since Butler participated in the first round, she received a gold medal as well. The medallion brings Georgia track and field’s Olympic medal count to 18 with nine gold.
Current director of operations for Georgia volleyball David Dantes served as the technical coordinator for the United States men’s volleyball team through its run in Paris. The team earned bronze after beating reigning world champion Italy 3-0. The victory brought the University of Georgia’s Paris Olympic medal count to six.