This article was originally published on July 11, 2024 from UBC Athletics and Recreation. Read the original article.
VANCOUVER – More than two dozen UBC Thunderbirds past and present are poised to descend upon Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games which officially get underway on July 26th in the French capital.
From the track and field oval at Stade de France to the waters of the Vaires-sur-Marne, 32 UBC athletes and staff will represent the blue and gold along with the flags of four different countries on the world’s biggest stage.
Led by T-Bird swimming alumnus Yuri Kisil who is competing in his fourth Olympic Games, the UBC contingent is a blend of experience and first-time Olympians, all of whom are aiming to add to the school’s impressive historical medal haul.
Since Ned Pratt won UBC’s first medal (bronze) in men’s rowing at the 1932 Los Angeles Games, Thunderbirds have accumulated 61 medals including 19 gold.
In addition to the T-Bird athletes competing in Paris, a number of current and former T-Bird staff members are also at the Olympics in coaching and support roles.
UBC will also be represented at the 2024 Paralympic Games which begin August 28th as Travis Murao, Trevor Hirschfield and Byron Green have all been named to Canada’s Men’s Wheelchair Rugby squad.
Be sure to follow @ubctbirds on your social channels as well as gothunderbirds.ca to stay up to date on UBC athletes in Paris as they chase Olympic glory!
Confirmed UBC athletes attending Paris 2024
Olivia Lundman – Women’s Track & Field
Evan Dunfee – Men’s Track & Field
Blake Tierney – Men’s Swimming
Emma O’Croinin – Women’s Swimming
Ingrid Wilm – Women’s Swimming
Yuri Kisil – Men’s Swimming
Finlay Knox – Men’s Swimming
Kristen Kit – Women’s Rowing
Kristina Walker – Women’s Rowing
Jessica Sevick – Women’s Rowing
Rowan Hamilton – Men’s Track & Field
Kieran Lumb – Men’s Track & Field
Travis Murao – Men’s Wheelchair Rugby
Trevor Hirschfield – Men’s Wheelchair Rugby
Byron Green – Men’s Wheelchair Rugby
Fynn McCarthy – Men’s Volleyball
Karen Tam – Women’s Swimming (Representing Hong Kong)
Kayla Sanchez – Women’s Swimming (Representing Philippines)
Piper Logan – Women’s Rugby 7s
Florence Symonds – Women’s Rugby 7s
Abigail Raye – Women’s Field Hockey (Representing Belgium)
Rob Shaw – Wheelchair Tennis
Confirmed UBC staff attending Paris 2024
Mike Hawkins – Assistant Coach (Men’s Volleyball)
Mallory White – Lead Therapist (Women’s Soccer)
Joe Vecchione – Sports Science Support (Women’s Soccer)
Kerry MacDonald – Team Leader (Women’s Beach Volleyball)
Nicole Sullivan – Team Physiotherapist (Women’s Beach Volleyball)
Sam Pritchard – Performance Analysis, Technology Specialist
Dana Sinclair – Performance Psychologist (Beach Volleyball and Skateboard)
Rich Lam – Paris 2024 Senior Project Manager, Photo Operations
Claire Hanna – CBC Broadcaster
Tricia Smith – COC President
Among UBC’s first time Olympians are Thunderbird Track and Field alumni Rowan Hamilton and Kieran Lumb, both of whom secured their spots on team Canada thanks to outstanding results at the recent Athletics Canada Track and Field Trials in Montreal.
Hamilton finished second in men’s hammer throw at the Canadian trials and enters his first Olympic Games ranked 12th in the world. The three-time NAIA Champion capped off his collegiate career this past spring by claiming the NCAA Division I title on the strength of a personal best throw of 77.18 metres.
Kieran Lumb competes in his first games in the men’s 1500 metres after winning gold at the Canadian trials.
Other notable performances at the Athletics Canada trials include Holly MacGillivray’s eighth place finish in the women’s 1500 metres, her third consecutive top ten performance on the national stage. Andrew Davies finished ninth in the men’s 5000 metres while alumni John Gay and Cole Dinsdale completed the men’s 3000 metre steeplechase in seventh and ninth, respectively.
Three-time Olympian Liz Gleadle won the women’s javelin throw with a top attempt of 59.52 metres, more than eight metres further than the silver medallist.
Tyler Wilson took first place in the men’s 20 kilometre race walk while two-time NAIA women’s pole vault champion Sonya Urbanowicz finished tied for fifth in Montreal.
William Kizell earned a fifth place finish in men’s discus.