Paris, France – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Aug 17, 2024 – The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris were a showcase of athletic excellence, with several athletes from Arkansas securing top honors across various sports. Here’s a look at the standout performances:
Ryan Crouser – Shot Put Gold Medal
Ryan Crouser, a volunteer track coach for the Razorbacks, achieved a historic feat by becoming the first person to win gold in the shot put three times consecutively.
Kelsey Plum – Basketball Gold Medal Team USA
Kelsey Plum, a former graduate assistant for the Razorbacks women’s basketball team, helped Team USA clinch the gold medal in basketball. Plum’s impressive career includes a previous gold medal in 3×3 basketball at the Tokyo Olympics. Plum, who plays for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA, held the NCAA Division I scoring record until Caitlin Clark surpassed it earlier this year.
Tara Davis-Woodhall – Long Jump Gold Medal
Tara Davis-Woodhall secured gold with a remarkable jump of 7.10 meters. Training in Fayetteville, Davis-Woodhall and her husband, Paralympian Hunter Woodhall, recently appeared in a commercial for Raising Cane’s.
Rojé Stona – Discus Gold Medal
Before winning gold with a discus throw of 70 meters, Stona graduated from the University of Arkansas earlier this year. His athletic prowess has caught the attention of NFL teams, with invitations to rookie minicamps from the Packers and Saints.
Haley Batten – Mountain Biking Silver Medal
Batten trained intensively in Bentonville leading up to the Olympics, showcasing the region’s growing influence in competitive mountain biking, winning the United States’ first-ever silver medal in mountain biking.
Kaylyn Brown – Mixed 4×400 Meter Relay Silver Medal
Brown’s performance reflects her strong background and training with the Razorbacks, continuing her success from the World U20 Championships.
Anna Cockrell – 400-meter Hurdles Silver Medal
Cockrell, who trained in Fayetteville, built on her previous Olympic experience from Tokyo 2021.
Wayne Pinnock – Long Jump Silver Medal
Although Pinnock is transitioning to a professional career, he plans to stay in Fayetteville to complete his degree.
Brittany Brown – 200-meter Bronze Medal
Bronze Medal in 200-meter
The impressive achievements of these Arkansas athletes at the 2024 Olympics highlight the state’s growing prominence in global sports and serve as an inspiration for future athletes.
Speaking of future athletes, the 2024 Paralympics, set to take place in Paris from August 28 to September 8, also promise to be a spectacular celebration of athletic excellence and resilience. The Paralympics are an international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, held every four years in the same city as the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Established to provide a platform for athletes with physical and intellectual impairments, the Paralympics aim to showcase their athletic prowess and promote inclusion and accessibility in sports.
Athletes from around the globe will compete across a diverse array of sports, showcasing their incredible skills and determination. The Games are expected to highlight not only record-breaking performances but also the inspiring stories of individuals overcoming significant challenges and ongoing efforts to advance the global movement toward inclusivity and recognition for athletes with disabilities.