USC’s Olympic Heritage and Athletic Tradition
With the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Closing ceremonies taking place just a few days ago, it felt apropos to reflect upon the Olympic Heritage and Athletics at USC! The Trojan tradition of winning at the Olympics can be dated back to 1904, when Emil Breitkreutz (Class of 1906) won the bronze medal in the 800-meter run at the 1904 St. Louis Summer Olympics. Since then, USC has not only sent hundreds of athletes to the Olympics but has also produced more overall medalists than any other university in the United States.
As it stands, USC’s Olympians have won 155 gold medals, 98 silver medals, and 77 bronze medals in total. These accomplishments epitomize much more than just medals and a lasting place in sports history. In the words of USC President Carol L. Folt, “Every one of these Olympic performances represents more than a moment in time for our Trojan athletes — each race, game and match is also a tribute to the years of sacrifice and dedication that made them Olympians, as well as the support and love they received from those around them. These Trojans show the world what it means to ‘Fight On!’”
Now, if you are similar to me and enjoy sports with a passion but may not necessarily be on the athletic talent-level of USC student-athletes (our Olympic tradition is unrivaled for a reason), you can still get involved in competitive and non-competitive sports at USC! Students at USC can participate in Club Sports and/or Intramural Sports to build connections, stay active and healthy, and more importantly, to have fun!
Club Sports are student-run organizations that compete in intercollegiate events for various sports and activities. Not only are clubs independently run, but they also receive funding through Undergraduate Student Government (USG.) Current Clubs such as archery and tennis, for example, will typically hold practice a few times per week with competitions being held on weekends. As for Intramural Sports, it is a great opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to get involved in a litany of sports at numerous levels of competition. Whether it is competing in a 3v3 Outdoor Basketball league or in a 3v3 Outdoor Soccer league, there are plenty of ways to stay active while having fun. If you’re wondering about the competitiveness level between Club Sports and Intramural Sports, participation is much more leisurely in Intramural Sports as competition can range between one-day tournaments to six-week leagues. Essentially, USC Intramural Sports’ mission is to “promote an active lifestyle, student involvement, and safe environment.”
Of course, USC students have the pleasure of watching their fellow Trojans compete in NCAA sports! Students can participate in the USC Game Day experience, witness the greatest marching band ever (The Spirit of Troy), and per tradition, kick the flag poles outside the Coliseum for good luck! Students also can incorporate Physical Education courses into their schedules. The USC Physical Education program “provides a variety of opportunities for students to improve their general health and fitness.” Through courses centered, for example, around the Mind and Body and Outdoor and Safety, students will be “better equipped to make choices regarding a healthy and active lifestyle.”
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics brought tons of excitement, enthusiasm, and energy, making it somewhat difficult to not look forward to 2028 when the Olympics will be hosted by Los Angeles. As it did in the 1932 and 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, USC will yet again play a pivotal role in the staging of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. In 2028, the Coliseum will host portions of the Opening and Closing ceremonies as well as track and field events, while the site for swimming, diving and artistic swimming events will be Dedeaux Field, the Galen Center will serve as host for the badminton competition, and the USC campus will house both the main press center and media village.
Whether it is through the 330 medals USC Olympians have won or through Club/Intramural Sports, the Olympic Heritage and fervent Athletic Tradition will forever be a part of USC.
Check out these fun USC Olympic Facts and remember to Fight On!
Going into the 2020 Olympic Games, if USC were a country entering its athletes in the Olympic Games, its 309 all-time Summer Olympics medals would place it 13th among all participating countries.
For the third consecutive Olympics, USC sent more athletes (65) to compete in the Olympics – more than any other U.S. university. 47 USC Olympians competed in 2016 Rio Olympics and 41 competed in the 2012 London Olympics (tied with Stanford).
65 different National Olympic Committees have been represented by USC Olympians, the 2020 Games was the first time a USC Olympian has hailed from Croatia (Nikola Miljenic), Latvia (Tina Graudina) and Tonga (Noelani Day).
Of the 472 all-time USC Olympians, 148 are female.
Two incoming USC first-year students competed in Tokyo: swimmers Marlene Kahler of Austria and Noelani Day of Tonga.
In addition to appearing in the Summer Games, USC athletes have competed in the Winter Olympics 11 times.
This was the sixth consecutive Summer Olympics that USC has been represented by at least 40 Olympians. The 65 Tokyo Olympians are USC’s most ever in a Games. Previously, USC’s 51 competitors in the 2008 Beijing Games were its most ever.
USC has had Olympic athletes participate in 30 different sports in its history, but this will be the first time a Trojan has competed in skateboarding (Amelia Brodka). Among the more unusual events for a Trojan: George Roth won a gold medal in the 1932 Games in club swinging (part of the gymnastics competition).
USC’s 10 women’s water polo players in the Tokyo Games were its most at any Olympics and its 6 men’s water poloists were the most since 1956 (when it had 7). USC had more track and field athletes (15) in Tokyo than at any Olympics.
Two 2020 USC Olympians were scheduled to carry their delegation’s flag in Tokyo during the opening ceremonies’ Parade of Nations: swimmers Robert Glinta of Romania and Yakov Toumarkin of Israel.
Of all the Pac-12 schools (also known as the Conference of Champions), USC has the most all-time Olympians.
Written by: Andy T. Nguyen, Assistant Director - USC Office of Admission
