The Auburn University Student Government Association voted on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, to approve the commendation of the university’s athletes that competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
11 current or former Auburn University students competed at the games. These students represented 10 different countries and competed in six distinct sports.
These students, the country they represented, and their respective events are listed below.
· Kanyinsola Ajayi. Nigeria. Men’s 100-meter dash and 4x100 meter relay.
· Favour Ashe. Nigeria. Men’s 100-meter dash and 4x100 meter relay.
· Makanakaishe Charamba. Zimbabwe. Men’s 200-meter dash.
· Marcelo Chierighini. Brazil. Men’s 4x100 freestyle relay.
· Azeem Fahmi. Malaysia. Men’s 100-meter dash.
· Emily Hallifax. France. Women’s synchronized diving.
· Sunisa Lee. U.S.A. Women’s team, all-around, uneven bars, beam, and floor gymnastics. Lee won gold in team gymnastics, and bronze in uneven bars and all-around gymnastics.
· Tim Puetz. Germany. Men’s tennis doubles.
· Valerie Tarazi. Palestine. Women’s swimming 200-meter individual medley.
· Donald Thomas. Bahamas. Men’s High Jump.
· JT Thor. South Sudan. Men’s Basketball.
SGA also honored the Auburn University Athletics Director, John Cohen; the Deputy Athletics Director, Rhett Hobart; Senior VP for Student Affairs, Dr. Bobby Woodard; and University President Dr. Chris Roberts for their role in the above students' athletic careers.
The commendation specifically honored the students for their relationship to the Auburn University Creed.
The commendation reads, "Therefore, let it be resolved that, we, the Auburn University Student Senate commend these athletes for embodying our creed, particularly the line: 'I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.'"
Cara Herring, Vice President of SGA and President of the Student Senate commented on the commendation.
“That’s our first commendation of the term which is really exciting, and we’re very proud of our student athletes because we’re proud of what they do for our university on the domestic and international stage, and I think their participation in the summer Olympics is a great representation of that. I think it’s definitely a privilege of the student senate to be able to celebrate it,” Herring said.
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