GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Current and former Gators around the world earned spots on Olympic rosters this past week and will represent their respective nations in Paris this summer at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Parker Valby for the United States (10,000m), Genevieve LaCaze Gregson of Australia (Marathon), Jevaughn Powell of Jamaica (400m), and Joe Fahnbulleh of Liberia (100m, 200m) are among those who have earned the right to compete for their countries, and for Gator Nation, in the City of Lights.
HOW IT HAPPENED – Olympic Qualifiers
Women’s Marathon
Genevieve LaCaze Gregson finished second in Australia’s Marathon qualifying times and was one of Australia’s three athletes selected to participate in the Women’s Marathon. Her qualifying time of 2:23:08 was set in December of last year in Valencia.
Gregson competed in steeplechase during her career at Florida, and competed in the 3000m steeplechase for Australia in the 2012, 2016, and 2021 Games. In the 2021 Olympic games, a heartbreaking Achilles injury during the final water jump of the race threatened to end her career. Now, after a long recovery and a step up to the Marathon, Gregson has yet another chance at gold.
Men’s Marathon
Eduardo Garcia, the 2015 SEC Outdoor champion in the 10,000m, has qualified for the Olympic Marathon representing the U.S. Virgin Islands. Garcia, the holder of many long-distance records for the U.S. Virgin Islands including the marathon and half marathon, will head to Paris for his first Summer Olympic games at the age of 31.
Women’s 10,000m
Parker Valby was selected to team USA after a second-place finish at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. Valby, who set the collegiate record in the 10,000m earlier this year (30:50.43), crossed the finish line in 31:41.56, and was the only collegiate runner to compete in the race. The five-time NCAA champion now sets her eyes on Paris as she continues her legendary year.
Men’s 400m
Jevaughn Powell finished third in Jamaica’s Men’s 400m with a time of 44.79s, a mark that secured his spot in Paris on Jamaica’s roster. After finishing first in his heat to advance to the finals, the 2024 First-Team All-American in the outdoor 400m claimed his ticket to Paris with the second-best time of his career, just behind his pace set during the 400m at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships, where he also finished third en route to Florida’s third consecutive national title.
Emmanuel Bamidele, a member of the 2023 NCAA…
HOW IT HAPPENED – Olympic Qualifiers
Women’s Marathon
Genevieve LaCaze Gregson finished second in Australia’s Marathon qualifying times and was one of Australia’s three athletes selected to participate in the Women’s Marathon. Her qualifying time of 2:23:08 was set in December of last year in Valencia.
Gregson competed in steeplechase during her career at Florida, and competed in the 3000m steeplechase for Australia in the 2012, 2016, and 2021 Games. In the 2021 Olympic games, a heartbreaking Achilles injury during the final water jump of the race threatened to end her career. Now, after a long recovery and a step up to the Marathon, Gregson has yet another chance at gold.
Men’s Marathon
Eduardo Garcia, the 2015 SEC Outdoor champion in the 10,000m, has qualified for the Olympic Marathon representing the U.S. Virgin Islands. Garcia, the holder of many long-distance records for the U.S. Virgin Islands including the marathon and half marathon, will head to Paris for his first Summer Olympic games at the age of 31.
Women’s 10,000m
Parker Valby was selected to team USA after a second-place finish at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. Valby, who set the collegiate record in the 10,000m earlier this year (30:50.43), crossed the finish line in 31:41.56, and was the only collegiate runner to compete in the race. The five-time NCAA champion now sets her eyes on Paris as she continues her legendary year.
Men’s 400m
Jevaughn Powell finished third in Jamaica’s Men’s 400m with a time of 44.79s, a mark that secured his spot in Paris on Jamaica’s roster. After finishing first in his heat to advance to the finals, the 2024 First-Team All-American in the outdoor 400m claimed his ticket to Paris with the second-best time of his career, just behind his pace set during the 400m at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships, where he also finished third en route to Florida’s third consecutive national title.
Emmanuel Bamidele, a member of the 2023 NCAA…
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