Penn Staters Participating in Olympic Games in London
By: Bob Patterson
Updated: July 20, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - As the Olympic Flame finishes its trip around the globe, a school-record 19 Penn Staters are gearing up to represent their school and countries at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Opening ceremonies at the Olympics take place July 27.
Not including the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, where 65 countries did not participate, Penn State has sent athletes to each Olympic Games since 1948, a streak of 15-consecutive Games. Nittany Lion athletes also competed at the 1908 and 1948 Games in London, now the only city to be chosen to host the event three times. Walter Bahr, Penn State's men's soccer coach from 1974-87, was one of nine competitors from the school at the 1948 Games.
In all, Penn State competitors have won 23 medals, including five gold-medal efforts, from 78 Olympians. Former men's gymnastics assistant coach Kevin Tan is the most recent Penn Stater to medal in the Olympics, earning a team bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Suzanne McConnell was the last Penn Stater to capture a gold medal, earning the medal as a member of the 1988 U.S. women's basketball team. McConnell also took home bronze at the 1992 Games.
The 2012 Nittany Lion contingent consists of competitors from seven sports, including both male and female competitors in fencing, track & field and volleyball. Natalie Dell will make history for the school as the first Nittany Lion to compete in rowing at the Olympics.
Four competitors are current student-athletes at Penn State, while an additional 14 alumni and one Nittany Lion coach will also compete. Eight individuals will represent seven countries other than the U.S., including Canada, Great Britain, Israel, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Suriname.
Source: PSU Athletics
Not including the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, where 65 countries did not participate, Penn State has sent athletes to each Olympic Games since 1948, a streak of 15-consecutive Games. Nittany Lion athletes also competed at the 1908 and 1948 Games in London, now the only city to be chosen to host the event three times. Walter Bahr, Penn State's men's soccer coach from 1974-87, was one of nine competitors from the school at the 1948 Games.
In all, Penn State competitors have won 23 medals, including five gold-medal efforts, from 78 Olympians. Former men's gymnastics assistant coach Kevin Tan is the most recent Penn Stater to medal in the Olympics, earning a team bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Suzanne McConnell was the last Penn Stater to capture a gold medal, earning the medal as a member of the 1988 U.S. women's basketball team. McConnell also took home bronze at the 1992 Games.
The 2012 Nittany Lion contingent consists of competitors from seven sports, including both male and female competitors in fencing, track & field and volleyball. Natalie Dell will make history for the school as the first Nittany Lion to compete in rowing at the Olympics.
Four competitors are current student-athletes at Penn State, while an additional 14 alumni and one Nittany Lion coach will also compete. Eight individuals will represent seven countries other than the U.S., including Canada, Great Britain, Israel, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Suriname.
Source: PSU Athletics
