UC's Got Game - 2004 Summer Olympics

The University of California sent more athletes to the 2004 Olympic Games than many countries. Historically, participants with UC connections have performed well in these international competitions: in Athens, 35 medallists had UC ties – exceeding the number of UC medallists (34) from the 2000 summer games in Sydney. In fact, if UC were a country, its 2004 medal total would have been exceeded by only 11 other nations. Four years ago, UC would have also finished seventh among the world’s nations at the Sydney games (beaten out by U.S., Russia, China, Australia, Germany, France).

UC medallists in Athens
2004 summer Olympics web site

PRE-GAMES REPORT

Berkeley - Cal sends diverse international contingent
This summer, UC Berkeley will send a strong contingent of athletes and coaches to participate in the 2004 Olympic Games. In addition to athletes representing the United States, Olympians with Cal connections include a basketball player for New Zealand, crew members for Norway, Canada and Serbia Montenegro, a softball player for Greece, and swimmers for Australia, Brazil, Croatia, Poland, Malaysia, Sweden, the Philippines, Thailand and Lithuania. More athlete profiles and Olympic news

UCLA - 55 Bruins to Athens
Keeping with its unprecedented Olympic tradition, UCLA will send 55 players and coaches to the 2004 Olympic Games. In previous Summer Olympics, 387 athletes, coaches and trainers have represented UCLA in the Games - and brought home 195 medals. The first two Bruin Olympians participated in 1920, just one year after the founding of the campus. UCLA athletes have won a gold medal in every Olympics since 1932 (with the exception of the 1980 boycott).

Irvine - Anteaters hit the water in Athens
Five UC Irvine alumni compose more than one-third of the 13-member U.S. Olympic men's water polo team preparing for the Athens Games. UCI swimmer Lara Bjargardottir is expected to compete in two events for her native Iceland. Other Anteater Olympians competing for the U.S. this year are sailor Lanee Butler Beashel and windsurfer Peter Wells. Former UCI sailor Jay Glaser, who competed in the 1984 Games, is an assistant coach with the U.S. team for the second straight Olympics. UCI alum John Ross-Duggan will compete in the 2004 Paralympic Games, a competition for elite athletes with disabilities to be held Sep. 17-28 in Athens. This year's UCI representation brings the campus' total to 39 student-athletes and coaches who have participated in 71 Olympics. > Past UCI Olympians

San Diego - Tritons on the diamond, in the water
Former UC San Diego baseball standout and current Arizona Diamondbacks minor leaguer Alex Cremidan will represent Greece in the Athens Games. Carrie Johnson, a current UCSD student, will be competing in the K-1 and K-4 flatwater sprint canoe kayak events. Melanie Benn, a quadruple amputee with a M.S.W. from UCSD, will compete in the free style and backstroke swimming events at the Paralympic Games.

Santa Barbara - Gauchos to swim for U.S., kick for Mexico
UCSB alum Jason Lezak will represent the U.S. in swimming, including 50 and 100 freestyle. Alma Martinez, a forward for the UCSB women's soccer team during the 2002-03 seasons, has been selected as a member of Mexico's Olympic team.

More UC-Olympic connections
2004 Olympic Roundup: UC participants win 35 medals
2000 Olympic Roundup: UC participants win 34 medals
     at Sydney Games
UC Berkeley researchers reconstruct site of original Greek games

Media resources
Olympic experts at UC Davis, on topics including nutrition, biomechanics, injury prevention, sports psychology, orthopedic surgery and cycling