Light the torch and cue that iconic Olympics theme song — we’re ready for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics happening Friday, July 26-Sunday, Aug. 11.
At this summer’s Olympic Games, approximately 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees will compete across 32 sports — including some new ones. Since we’re all about keeping it local, we’ve rounded up 11 Paris 2024 Olympians with ties to Austin that you should keep your eye on. Let the Games begin.
Kaitlin Knifton, Rowing
If you’ve seen the rowing teams glide by on Lady Bird Lake, you’ve probably seen UT Austin graduate student Kaitlin Knifton on the water. The McCallum High School alumna was also the 2023 Big 12 Rower of the Year.
Scottie Scheffler, Golf
This pro golfer — and winner of the Masters Tournament in 2024 and 2022 — lives in Dallas, but he’s a University of Texas alum. Given his rankings during the 2024 PGA Tour season, he’s considered the favorite to win gold in Paris. Men’s Golf begins Thursday, Aug. 1.
Chiaka Ogbogu, Volleyball
A second-time Olympian and UT Austin alumna, Ogbogu already holds a gold medal from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. With a 10 ft 5 inch spike touch, she left UT as the record holder in career blocks.
Aaron Shackell, Swimming
At just 19 years old, Shackell competed in the swimming trials with his two siblings, Alex and Andrew. He’s currently a sophomore at UT Austin.
Carson Foster, Swimming
Blink and you’ll miss him, because this UT Austin swimmer is known for breaking Michael Phelps’ Under-10 100-meter butterfly national record. Additionally, he holds five medals from the 2019 Junior World Championships. P.S. — peep that Longhorn tattoo.
Luke Hobson, Swimming
A senior on the UT Austin swim team, Hobson is a five-time National Champion in the 200m freestyle.
Drew Kibler, Swimming
This former Longhorn (and second-time Olympian) boasts a host of records, including three-time Big 12 champion and two gold, one silver, and two bronze medals from the World Championships.
Jordan White, Para Archery
Hailing from Cedar Park, White is the youngest U.S. archer to qualify for the Paralympics at 15 years old.
Ryan Crouser, Track and Field
At 6 ft and 7 inches tall, this runner already has two gold medals under his belt, but that’s not all he has in stride. The UT alum is a four-time NCAA shot put champion, nine-time NCAA All-American, and comes from a family of Olympians.
Tara Davis-Woodhall, Track and Field
You might see this athlete arrive with a cowboy hat, which she tries to bring everywhere in honor of her alma mater (you guessed it), UT Austin. Davis-Woodhall is known for breaking the American junior record for the indoor long jump in 2017 (the same year she was named Ventura County Track and Field Athlete of the Year) and is married to Paralympian Hunter Woodhall.
Jeff Butler, Wheelchair Rugby
This Paralympian was introduced to his sport after a traffic accident left him paralyzed at age 13, and now he holds two silver medals. Not only that, but the UT Austin alum has his own software company and a YouTube channel reviewing disability technology.
Know of an athlete with an Austin tie that isn’t on this list? Let us know and follow the games daily via KVUE.
