CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Five former Virginia Track and Field athletes secured their spot to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France from July 25 through August 11.
Becoming an Olympic is the dream for many athletes for which five former Cavaliers have made a reality. The following are set to represent their home countries at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games: Ashley Anumba (Nigeria), Halle Hazzard (Grenada), Filip Mihaljevic (Croatia), Jordan Scott (Jamaica) and Bridget Williams (USA).
Anumba is set to represent Nigeria in the women’s discus throw in Paris later this summer. Her personal best in the event stands at 61.98m/203-4 set a year ago at the 2023 Nigerian Championships. Entering the Olympic Games, Anumba ranks 35th in the world in the women’s discus. Not only will Anumba make her Olympic Games debut, but she will also be part of history for Nigerian throwers.
“Representing Nigeria is an honor,” Anumba said. “For the first time ever, the country will be sending three women representatives for discus. History is being made and I can’t believe that I am a part of it.”
Anumba is no stranger to success at a high level as she set a high bar during her time in Charlottesville, Va. While at Virginia, Anumba was a two-time All-American and two-time All-ACC honoree. She finished runner-up in the discus throw at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships throwing for 61.13m/200-7 as well as runner-up at the ACC Outdoor Championships with her mark of 58.50m/191-11 in 2023. Success for Anumba was always earned and never expected to be given.
“I still haven’t processed this accomplishment in full yet as it has been a whirlwind these last few weeks,” said Anumba. “When I first started track and field 10 years ago, being an Olympian was never my goal, despite my high school coach telling me that it could happen. I just wanted to see what my abilities were and how far they could take me. Now I’m going to the Olympics and yet I still don’t believe I’ve reached my fullest potential in throwing despite being one of the best in the world.”
She continues to dominate the ring among the post collegiate ranks as well as in the classroom as she is currently pursuing a law degree from Virginia.
Also set to make her Olympic Games debut in the field is Williams, formerly Guy, representing the USA. Williams recently won the pole vault competition at the US Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. The Greenburg, Pa. native cleared…