The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Akinosun, Okolo, Gordon named to Olympic Teams
07.11.2016 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Sprinters added to relay teams for Rio Olympic Games
AUSTIN, Texas – Three more Texas Longhorns officially became Olympians on Monday. Morolake Akinosun, Courtney Okolo and Chrisann Gordon were named to their nation's respective Olympic teams on Monday.
USA Track & Field named Akinosun to the relay pool for the 4x100 meter relay. She will be one of six runners eligible to run for Team USA in any of the rounds of 4x100 competition during the Olympic Games in Rio. She finished fourth in the 100 meters during the first weekend of the U.S. Olympic Trials and was 12th in the 200 meters.
After finishing sixth in the final of the 400 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Okolo will be in the relay pool for the 4x400 meter relay. This will be Okolo's first Olympic Game and second major championship on Team USA. This March following the NCAA Indoor Championships Okolo went to Portland, Oregon, to run on Team USA's victorious 4x400 at the IAAF World Indoor Championships.
Gordon was named to the 4x400 meter relay pool by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association on Monday. Gordon has represented Jamaica at major championships before but never at an Olympic Games. Last summer she ran on Jamaica's 4x400 in the semifinals of the IAAF World Championships. Jamaica would win gold in the final, making her eligible for a medal due to her participation in an earlier round.
With Akinosun, Gordon and Okolo being added to their Olympic rosters on Monday it brings the total for Texas Longhorns set to compete in track and field at the Olympic Games this summer to nine.
2016 Texas Track & Field Olympians
Team USA
Morolake Akinosun – 4x100m Relay, 100m Alternate
Michelle Carter – Shot Put
Ryan Crouser – Shot Put
Marielle Hall – 5000m
Courtney Okolo – 4x400m Relay
Byron Robinson – 400m Hurdles
Ashley Spencer – 400m Hurdles
Team Jamaica
Chrisann Gordon – 4x400m Relay
Team Bahamas
Jamal Wilson – High Jump
