The Paris Summer Olympics officially begin a week today, with the opening ceremony six days away. It continues a fabulous summer of sport, and Ole Miss will be well represented.
Ole Miss will have seven former and current athletes competing for several countries across several sports and events. Here is a rundown of which Rebels will head to the Paris Olympics.
McKenzie Long - Women's 200 Meters
One of the last to earn a spot on the Olympic team, McKenzie Long finished third in the 200-meter U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Oregon. Long missed out on a 100-meter spot but will compete in the 200 on August 6.
Sam Kendricks - Men's Pole Vault
Sam Kendricks is a former Ole Miss alumnus who qualified to represent the U.S. in the pole vault. As a bronze medal winner at the 2016 Paris Games, Kendricks hopes to improve two spots in 2024. You can catch Sam Kendricks in action on August 5.
Shelby McEwen - Men's High Jump
Heading to his second Olympic Games after competing in Tokyo in 2020, Shelby McEwen is coming off winning the High Jump U.S. Olympic Trials. McEwen did not miss a jump in Eugene and looked in top form heading to Paris. You can watch the Men's High Jump on August 10.
Mario Garcia Romo - Men's 1500 Meters
A cross-country and track competitor at Ole Miss, Mario Garcia Romo, will represent Spain in the 1500-meter event on August 6. A seven-time NCAA Division I All-American, Garcia will compete in his first Olympic Games. Will he be able to better his bronze medal in the 2023 European Championships?
Shu Ohba - Women's Soccer
One of two soccer players with ties to Ole Miss, goalkeeper Shu Ohba will represent Japan before returning to Oxford for her senior year. Japan women's first game is on July 25 against Spain, with Nigeria and Brazil also in their group.
Rafaelle Souza - Women's Soccer
Brazil's Rafaelle Souza is the second soccer player on the list who has since left the University of Mississippi. She will take on current Ole Miss player Shu Ohba, as their national teams were drawn in the same group. This will be Souza's third Olympic appearance, with her first game against Nigeria on July 25.
Sintayehu Vissa - Women's 1500 Meters
Sintayehu Vissa was a cross-country and track star at Ole Miss, foregoing the rest of her collegiate eligibility at Ole Miss to turn pro in 2022. Vissa will represent Italy in the 1500-meter event set to take place on August 10.