By Trinity Flaten in Sept | Oct 2024, TXEX on September 1, 2024 at 1:19 am | No CommentsWith Texas being named the No. 1 Athletic Department in the nation by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics—winning the Directors’ Cup for the third time in four years—it’s no surprise that Longhorn athletes are meant for an international stage. Fourteen Longhorns, both current students and Texas Exes, represented Team USA in Paris. “It’s amazing, swimming in front of this amazing crowd. Shackell qualified for the 400-meter freestyle. Gemmell is the daughter of Barbara Harris and Bruce Gemmell, both of whom are no strangers to the Olympics, with Barbara swimming at two Team USA trials and Bruce coaching at the Rio Games. Though he was able to race in the 1,500-meter freestyle, he had to withdraw from the open-water 10-kilometer swim after contracting COVID-19.There are many Longhorn Olympians who have become famous—within Longhorn Nation or even globally—because of their sporting careers, their many Olympic appearances, or their social media presence. When Durant won his fourth gold, he became the only man to do so. Though Scottie Scheffler, too, is at the top of his game, these were his first Olympics. They are only the second and third Longhorns to compete in rowing at the Olympic level, following assistant coach Gia Doonan, BS ’17, Life Member, who competed in the Tokyo Olympics.

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