WKU is set to have five former Hilltoppers represent their respective countries in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The five Olympians are the most WKU has ever had compete in the same Olympic Games, having had four compete in the 1996 Atlanta and 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Jessica Ramsey (USA), Gavin Smellie (Canada), Michelle Finn (Ireland) and Laura Igaune (Latvia) are all former WKU Track & Field student-athletes while Larissa Franklin (Canada) played softball on The Hill in 2015. Martin Owusu-Antwi (Ghana) is also a former Track & Field student-athlete, serving as an alternate for his 4x100-meter relay team.
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Information and links regarding our current 2020 Tokyo Olympic athletes can be found below, in addition to historical records for former Hilltopper Olympians. This list is in the process of being updated to include all accurate information for Hilltoppers who competed in any Olympics. Please contact WKU Athletic Media Relations at (270) 745-4363 or dana.brown667@topper.wku.edu with any corrections, updates or additions.
HOW TO FOLLOW
OLYMPICS STREAMING SCHEDULE | COMPLETE OLYMPICS SCHEDULE
Â| ATHLETE | OLYMPIC PROFILE/RESULTS | COUNTRY | EVENTS | COMPETITION DAYS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelle Finn | View Profile | Ireland | Steeplechase | Saturday, July 31 - 7:40 p.m. CT (Qualifying) |
| Larissa Franklin | View Profile | Canada | Softball | Wednesday, July 21 - 1 a.m. CT Wednesday, July 21 - 7 p.m. CT Friday, July 23 - 8 p.m. CT Sunday, July 25 - 12:30 a.m. CT Monday, July 26 - 12:30 a.m. CT Monday, July 26 - 11 p.m. CT (Bronze) |
| Laura Igaune | View Profile | Latvia | Hammer Throw | Saturday, July 31 - 7:10 p.m. CT (Qualifying) |
| Martin Owusu-Antwi | Relay Alternate | Ghana | 4x100-meter Relay | Wednesday, Aug. 4 - 9:30 p.m. CT |
| Jessica Ramsey | View Profile | USA | Shot Put | Saturday, July 31 - 8:35 p.m. CT (Finals) |
| Gavin Smellie | View Profile | Canada | 100-meter Dash | Saturday, July 31 - 5:45 a.m. CT (First Round) |
Related Stories:
Baltimore Sun: Ghana 4x100-meter Team
WKU Athletics: Ramsey Qualifies for Tokyo Olympics
WKU Athletics: Finn, Smellie, Owusu-Antwi Qualify for Tokyo Games
Courier-Journal: Former WKU Thrower Jessica Ramsey Heading to Tokyo
Lexington Herald-Leader: Ramsey Joins Growing List of Athletes with Kentucky Ties Heading to Tokyo
WNKY: Hilltoppers in the Olympics
WKU Athletics: Franklin Set to Represent Canada, WKU Softball at Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News: Franklin to Play for Canada at the Olympics
Daily Memphian: Calkins: Meet Memphis' secret Olympian
Team USA: Olympic Shot Putter Ramsey, a Determined Advocate for Children
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News: Maple Ridge Softball Star Says Bronze Medal Win "Surreal"
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News: Franklin Takes Bronze at Tokyo Olympics
USA Today: Canada Women Making HistoryÂ
Skate Canada: Former Skate Canada Athletes Win Medals in Tokyo Olympic Games
Global News: "I've Dreamed of This"
MEAWW: Who is Gavin Smellie? Canadian Olympic athlete tried multiple sports before track
WNKY: Former Hilltopper and Olympic Medalist Talks About Her Accomplishments
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WKU OLYMPIANÂ BREAKDOWN
| Student-Athlete | Year(s) at WKU | Country | Event(s) | Games | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jevon Atkinson | 2005-07 | Jamaica | 50-meter Freestyle | 2004 Athens | |
| Emmanuel Dasor | 2013-17 | Ghana | 200-meter Dash | 2016 Rio | |
| Breda Dennehy-Willis | 1989-93 | Ireland | 5,00-meter Run 10,000-meter Run |
2000 Sydney | |
| Sean Dollman | 1989-92 | Ireland | 10,000-meter Run | 1996 Atlanta 1992 Barcelona |
|
| Claire Donahue | 2007-11 | USA | 4x100-meter Medley Relay 100-meter Butterfly |
2012 London  |
Gold  |
| Michelle Finn | 2009-12 | Ireland | 3,000-meter Steeplechase | 2020 Tokyo 2016 Rio |
|
| Larissa Franklin | 2015 | Canada | Softball | 2020 Tokyo | Bronze |
| Ignacio Guerra | 2008-12 | Chile | Javelin | 2008 Beijing | |
| Bernd Herrmann | 1975 | West Germany | 400-meter Dash (1976) 4x400-meter Relay (1972, 1976) |
1976 Montreal 1972 Munich |
Bronze (4x400-meter relay, 1976) |
| Laura Igaune  | 2011-12 | Latvia | Hammer Throw | 2020 Tokyo | |
| Shadrack Kipchirchir | 2010-11 | USA | 10,000-meter Run | 2016 Rio | |
| Aleksandr Larin | 2008-09 | Russia | 4x400-meter Relay | 2004 Athens | |
| Enrique "Kiko"Â Ledesma | 1977-78 | Ecuador | 100-meter Butterfly 200-meter Butterfly |
1980 Moscow | |
| John McNally | 1975-76 | USA | Rapid Fire Pistol | 2000 Sydney 1996 Atlanta 1992 Barcelona 1988 Seoul 1984 Los Angeles |
|
| Vince (Vincent) Parisi | 1997 | Italy | Baseball | 2004 Athens | |
| Jessica Ramsey | 2013-14 | USA | Shot Put | 2020 Tokyo | |
| Nick Rose | 1972-76 | Great Britain | 5,000-meter Run 10,000-meter Run |
1984 Los Angeles 1980 Moscow |
|
| Gavin Smellie | 2006-10 | Canada | 100-meter Dash (2020) 4x100-meter Relay (2012) |
2020 Tokyo 2012 London |
|
| Tony Staynings | 1973-77 | Great Britain | 3,000-meter Steeplechase | 1980 Moscow 1976 Montreal |
|
| Raigo Toompuu | 2002-06 | Estonia | Shot Put | 2012 London | |
| Gwen (Van Rensburg) Griffiths | 1988-89 | South Africa | 1,500-meter Run | 1996 Atlanta | |
| Marlon Williams | 1980-82 | U.S Virgin Islands | Marathon (1984, 1988, 1996) 5,000-meter Run (1992) 10,000-meter Run (1992) |
1996 Atlanta 1992 Barcelona 1988 Seoul 1984 Los Angeles |
Tokyo 2020 • 5
| Student-Athlete | Year(s) at WKU | Country | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelle Finn | 2009-12 | Ireland | 3,000-meter Steeplechase | |
| Larissa Franklin | 2015 | Canada | Softball | Bronze |
| Laura Igaune | 2011-12 | Latvia | Hammer Throw | |
| Jessica Ramsey | 2013-14 | USA | Shot Put | |
| Gavin Smellie | 2006-10 | Canada | 100-meter Dash |
Rio 2016 • 3
| Student-Athlete | Year(s) at WKU | Country | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emmanuel Dasor | 2013-17 | Ghana | 200-meter Run | |
| Michelle Finn | 2009-12 | Ireland | 3,000-meter Steeplechase | |
| Shadrack Kipchirchir | 2010-11 | USA | 10,000-meter Run |
London 2012 • 3
| Student-Athlete | Year(s) at WKU | Country | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claire Donahue | 2007-11 | USA | 4x100-meter Medley Relay 100-meter Butterfly |
Gold  |
| Gavin Smellie | 2006-10 | Canada | 4x100-meter Relay | |
| Raigo Toompuu | 2002-06 | Estonia | Shot Put |
Beijing 2008 • 1
| Student-Athlete | Year(s) at WKU | Country | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ignacio Guerra | 2008-12 | Chile | Javelin |
Athens 2004 • 3
| Student-Athlete | Year(s) at WKU | Country | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jevon Atkinson | 2005-07 | Jamaica | 50-meter Freestyle | |
| Aleksandr Larin | 2008-09 | Russia | 4x400-meter Relay | |
| Vince (Vincent) Parisi | 1997 | Italy | Baseball |
Sydney 2000 • 2
| Student-Athlete | Year(s) at WKU | Country | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breda Dennehy-Willis | 1989-93 | Ireland | 5,000-meter Run 10,000-meter Run |
|
| John McNally | 1975-76 | USA | Rapid Fire Pistol |
Atlanta 1996 • 4
| Student-Athlete | Year(s) at WKU | Country | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Dollman | 1989-92 | Ireland | 10,000-meter Run | |
| John McNally | 1975-76 | USA | Rapid Fire Pistol | |
| Gwen (Van Rensburg) Griffiths | 1988-89 | South Africa | 1,500-meter Run | |
| Marlon Williams | 1980-82 | U.S. Virgin Islands | Marathon |
Barcelona 1992 • 3
| Student-Athlete | Year(s) at WKU | Country | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Dollman | 1989-92 | Ireland | 10,000-meter Run | |
| John McNally | 1975-76 | USA | Rapid Fire Pistol | |
| Marlon Williams | 1980-82 | U.S. Virgin Islands | 5,000-meter Run 10,000-meter Run |
Seoul 1988 • 2
| Student-Athlete | Year(s) at WKU | Country | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John McNally | 1975-76 | USA | Rapid Fire Pistol | |
| Marlon Williams | 1980-82 | U.S. Virgin Islands | Marathon |
Los Angeles 1984 • 3
| Student-Athlete | Year(s) at WKU | Country | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John McNally | 1975-76 | USA | Rapid Fire Pistol | |
| Nick Rose | 1972-76 | Great Britain | 5,000-meter Run 10,000-meter Run |
|
| Marlon Williams | 1980-82 | U.S. Virgin Islands | Marathon |
Moscow 1980 • 3
| Student-Athlete | Year(s) at WKU | Country | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrique "Kiko"Â Ledesma | 1977-78 | Ecuador | 100-meter Butterfly 200-meter Butterfly |
|
| Nick Rose | 1972-76 | Great Britain | 5,000-meter Run 10,000-meter Run |
|
| Tony Staynings | 1973-77 | Great Britain | Steeplechase |
Montreal 1976 • 2
| Student-Athlete | Year(s) at WKU | Country | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernd Herrmann | 1975 | West Germany | 4x400-meter Relay 400-meter run |
Bronze (4x400-meter relay) |
| Tony Staynings | 1973-77 | Great Britain | Steeplechase |
Munich 1972 • 1
| Student-Athlete | Year(s) at WKU | Country | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernd Herrmann | 1975 | West Germany | 4x400-meter Relay |
Hilltopper Olympic Medalists
| Games | Student-Athlete | Year(s) at WKU | Country | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 Montreal | Bernd Herrmann | 1975 | West Germany | 4x400-meter Relay | Bronze |
| 2012 London | Claire Donahue | 2007-11 | USA | 4x100-meter Medley Relay | Gold |
| 2020 Tokyo | Larissa Franklin | 2015 | Canada | Softball | Bronze |
