Ten with ties to the University of Kansas are currently in Paris competing in the 2024 Olympics. Michael Joseph, Yoveinny Mota, Sharon Lokedi, Bryce Hoppel, Hussain Al Hizam, Alexander Emilianov, Head Coach Stanley Redwine, and Event Manager Tim Weaver will be present at various track and field events. Joel Embiid will be competing on Team USA for men’s basketball, and Liana Salazar will be competing for Columbia in soccer. These Jayhawks join a long line of KU Olympians, dating back to 1904 when Fay Moulton became the first athlete with KU ties to compete in the Olympics.
Across events, counties, continents, and political landscapes, Jayhawks have embodied the Olympic spirit over the past 120 years, during which 63 coaches and athletes have competed in 22 different Olympic Games. Whether it be overcoming devastating injuries, like Glenn Cunningham, or fighting to add a new event to the Games, as Phog Allen did with basketball, KU students and coaches have continued to bring the fighting spirit of their mascot to the world stage.
With the 2024 Paris Olympics marking 100 years since KU high jumper Tom Poor, whose personal papers reside in Spencer Research Library, competed in his own Paris Olympic Games, what better time to celebrate the incredible Jayhawks whose hard work and determination lead them to the world’s foremost sports competition.
Displayed in this exhibit are photographs, letters, new releases, newspaper clippings, fliers, handouts, and other items from the University Archives documenting selected athletes and coaches with ties to the University of Kansas (though we wish we could have included everyone). Games included range from the 1904 St. Louis Summer Olympics to the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, as well as athletes and coaches from multiple sports and events.
Molly Herring, Associate Archivist, University Archives, Kenneth Spencer Research Library.
