PARIS (WCJB) — Imagine a university competing against entire nations on the global stage. At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Florida Gators did just that.
With 41 current and former Gators representing over 20 countries, the University of Florida amassed an impressive 11 medals. If the university were its own country, it would have tied for 19th place worldwide in total medals, alongside Sweden and Kenya, and for 16th place in gold medals with Sweden, Kenya, and Norway.
Leading the Gators’ charge was Caeleb Dressel (USA), who secured three medals. Dressel earned his third consecutive Olympic gold in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, which also marked the United States’ first gold of the Games. He added another gold in the mixed 4×100-meter medley relay, though he didn’t swim in the finals. Dressel’s only individual medal was a silver in the 4×100-meter medley.
Bobby Finke continued his dominance in the pool, winning two medals. He set a new world record in the 1500-meter freestyle and claimed his second consecutive Olympic gold in that event. Finke also took home silver in the 800-meter freestyle with a thrilling near-comeback, echoing his dramatic victory in Tokyo 2021.
Canadian Gator Josh Liendo also made his mark, earning a silver medal in the 100-meter butterfly.
Emma Weyant (USA) and Kieran Smith (USA) each added to their Olympic resumes with second career medals. Weyant captured bronze in the 400-meter individual medley, while Smith secured silver in the 4×200-meter freestyle.
In track and field, Grant Holloway (USA) finally achieved his Olympic gold medal dream with a 12.99-second finish in the 110-meter hurdles, redeeming the silver he won in the previous Games.
Jasmine Moore (USA) made history as only the second female Olympian to medal in both the triple jump and long jump, taking bronze in both events.
Rhyne Howard, assistant coach for the women’s basketball team, contributed to the U.S. securing a bronze medal in women’s 3×3 basketball—her first Olympic medal. Howard joined Kelly Rae Finley’s staff as an assistant coach and director of player personnel for the 2023-2024 season.
While the Gators do not officially count the four medals won by volunteer assistant coach Katie Ledecky in their tally, her achievements are nonetheless remarkable.
As the 2024 Games conclude, the Gators’ future remains bright. Several current and incoming athletes, including track and field stars Anna Hall and Parker Valby, made their Olympic debuts this year. Hall finished fifth in the heptathlon, and Valby placed 11th in the 10,000-meter.
Looking ahead, the next Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles from July 14 to July 30, 2028.