Seven Ole Miss Athletes to Compete in 2024 Paris Olympics

Written with artificial intelligence assistance.

In a historic achievement for the Ole Miss athletic program, seven athletes will represent their countries at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. This marks the second time the university has sent seven competitors to the Games, matching the record set by the 2016 Rio de Janeiro delegation.

The Ole Miss contingent will participate in two sports: soccer and track & field. The athletes selected are:

- Mario Garcia Romo (Team Spain, track & field)

- Sam Kendricks (Team USA, track & field)

- McKenzie Long (Team USA, track & field)

- Shu Ohba (Team Japan, soccer)

- Raven Saunders (Team USA, track & field)

- Rafaelle Souza (Team Brazil, soccer)

- Sintayehu Vissa (Team Italy, track & field)

OlympicsPhoto byOle Miss

This year’s delegation includes seasoned Olympians and first-time competitors. Sam Kendricks, Raven Saunders, and Rafaelle Souza are each making their third Olympic appearance. Kendricks, who clinched a bronze medal in men’s pole vault at the Rio 2016 Games, and Saunders, who earned a silver medal in women’s shot put at the Tokyo 2020 Games, have previously excelled on the Olympic stage. Saunders’ silver medal in Tokyo made her only the third American woman to medal in the shot put event.

For Garcia Romo, Long, Ohba, and Vissa, the Paris Games will be their inaugural Olympic experience. Ohba is set to be Japan’s alternate goalkeeper, while Garcia Romo, Long, and Vissa aim to make their mark in track & field. Garcia Romo, Long, and Vissa all come with impressive credentials from their NCAA careers, including championship titles.

The Ole Miss athletes are poised to showcase their skills and contribute to their respective teams on one of the world’s largest athletic stages.