University of Georgia Athletics
Bulldogs Well Represented at 2008 Olympic Games
August 22, 2008 | General
A total of 22 athletes and coaches with ties to University of Georgia athletics are representing a dozen different native countries at the 29th Summer Olympic Games, which get underway August 8 in Beijing, China.
Swimmers and divers comprise the vast majority of Bulldogs at the Beijing games. Most prominent among them is the current men’s and women’s head coach, Jack Bauerle, who will served as head coach of the U.S. Olympic women’s swimming squad. Nine other Georgia swimmers, as well as diver Chris Cowill, also competed in Beijing.
Nine former Georgia track & field athletes began competition Aug. 15 in Beijing. Reigning world champion and U.S. Olympic Trials champion shot putter Reese Hoffa headlines this list. Also included among this group is sprinter Debbie Ferguson, a 2000 Olympic gold medalist for her native Bahamas, and American heptathlete Hyleas Fountain, who also entered the Beijing games as the current U.S. Olympic Trials champion.
One of the most unusual Olympic competitors was UGA swimming great Sheila Taormina. A 13-time All-American at Georgia from 1988-91, Taormina won a gold medal in her first Olympics as a member of the U.S. team in the 4x200-meter relay in 1996. Four years later in Sydney, she placed sixth in the first-ever Olympic triathlon for women. Taormina will compete in Beijing in the Modern Pentathlon and therefore, she will become the first American Olympian to qualify in three different sports.
The 29th Olympiad began Aug. 8 and will conclude with the closing ceremonies on Aug. 24.
BULLDOGS IN BEIJING - ROSTER
RELEASES
8.22.08 - Former Georgia Track & Field Standout Moves Up To Olympic Silver
8.20.08 - Ferguson-McKenzie Advances To Olympic 200-Meter Final
8.16.08 - Fountain Wins Olympic Bronze Medal In Heptathlon
8.15.08 - Fountain Leads Heptathlon After First Day At Olympics
8.14.08 - Action Begins For Georgia Track & Field At Olympics - Schedule
8.14.08 - Schmitt Wins Bronze Medal At The Olympics
8.14.08 - Bauerle: 'The Feeling Of The Olympic Games Is How The World Should Be'
8.13.08 - Colwill, Tarantino Come In Fourth In Olympics
8.12.08 - Yoculan To Provide Blog During Gymnastics Finals Tonight
8.10.08 - Ex-Lady Bulldog Joyce Wins Silver At Olympics
8.08.08 - Georgia Track & Field Trio Honored At Beijing Olympics
6.29.08 - Fountain, Hoffa Earn Trip To Olympics At Trials
4.11.08 - Prinsloo, Versfeld, Trott Qualify For Olympics
2.21.08 - Georgia Diver Colwill Secures Olympics Spot For United States
