The University of Pittsburgh has a proud history of fostering Olympic-caliber athletes, with several athletes and alumni representing various countries over the years. Pitt's Olympic legacy dates back to the early 20th century, since then, Pitt athletes have competed in numerous Olympic Games, participating in sports such as track and field, swimming, and wrestling among others. Pitt's commitment to fostering athletic excellence continues to produce Olympic-caliber talent, contributing to our rich sports heritage and international reputation.
Olympians
| Name |
Country |
Sport |
Events |
Years at Pitt |
Olympics |
Medal |
| Marcedes Walker |
Azerbaijan |
Women’s Basketball |
3-on-3 |
2005-08 |
2024 (Paris) |
N/A |
| Jayla Pina |
Cape Verde |
Swimming |
200 L IM |
2022-Present |
2024 (Paris), 2021 (Tokyo) |
N/A |
| Deb Adiodun |
Nigeria |
Women’s Soccer |
N/A |
2023-Present |
2024 (Paris) |
N/A |
| Carvin Nkanata |
Kenya |
Track & Field |
200m |
2012-14 |
2016 (Rio de Janeiro) |
N/A |
| Taylor Ellis-Watson |
United States |
Track & Field |
4x400m |
2011-13 |
2016 (Rio de Janeiro) |
Gold |
| Trecia-Kaye Smith |
Jamaica |
Track & Field |
Triple Jump |
1995-99 |
2004 (Athens), 2008 (Beijing), 2012 (London) |
N/A |
| Joanna Budzis |
Poland |
Swimming |
4x200 Relay (Alternate) |
2009-13 |
2008 (Beijing) |
N/A |
| Ayne Allen |
St. Kitts |
Track & Field |
4x400m Relay |
1992-96 |
1996 (Atlanta, GA) |
N/A |
| Marisa Pedulla |
United States |
Judo |
Half-Lightweight |
1987-91, 1991-98 (PHD) |
1996 (Atlanta, GA) |
Seventh |
| Najuma Fletcher |
Guyana |
Track & Field |
Heptathlon |
1992-96 |
1992 (Barcelona) |
N/A |
| Charles Smith |
United States |
Basketball |
N/A |
1984-88 |
1988 (Seoul) |
Bronze |
| Roger Kingdom |
United States |
Track & Field |
110m Hurdles |
1981-84 |
1984 (Los Angeles), 1988 (Seoul) |
Gold, Gold |
| Sue Heon |
United States |
Swimming |
400 IM |
1981-85 |
1984 (Los Angeles) |
Fourth |
| Ruth Rowe |
United States |
Archery |
Individual |
|
1984 (Los Angeles) |
12th |
| John Wurster |
United States |
Speed Skating |
500m |
|
1968 (Sapporo), 1972 (Grenoble) |
Fifth, DNF |
| Larry Lauchie |
United States |
Wrestling |
Greco-Roman, Bantamweight |
|
1960 (Rome) |
25th |
| Ed DeWitt |
United States |
Wrestling |
Middleweight, Freestyle |
|
1960 (Rome) |
Fourth |
| Arnie Sowell |
United States |
Track & Field |
800m |
1953-57 |
1956 (Melbourne, Australia) |
N/A |
| Hugh Peery |
United States |
Wrestling |
Flyweight, Freestyle |
|
1952 (Helsinki) |
N/A |
| John Deni |
United States |
Track & Field |
50km Walk |
|
1948 (London), 1952 (Helsinki) |
DNF, 15th |
| Herb Douglas |
United States |
Track & Field |
Long Jump |
1945-49 |
1948 (London) |
Bronze |
| George Wheeler |
United States |
Gymnastics |
Floor, Horizontal Bar, Horse Vault, All-Around, Parallel Bars, Pommel Horse, Rings |
|
1936 (Berlin) |
N/A |
| John Woodruff |
United States |
Track & Field |
800m |
1935-39 |
1936 (Berlin) |
Gold |
| Don Gwinn |
United States |
Track & Field |
Hammer Throw |
1926-29 |
1928 (Amsterdam) |
Fifth |
| Vic Pickard |
Canada |
Track & Field |
Pole Vault, Javelin, Pole Vault |
1924-28 |
1924 (Paris), 1928 (Amsterdam) |
N/A |
| Frank Shea |
United States |
Track & Field |
440m |
1916-20 |
1920 (Antwerp) |
Fourth |
| Angie Lopez |
Puerto Rico |
Swimming |
100 & 200 Breaststroke, 100 Free Relay, 100 Medley Relay |
1974-76 |
1976 (Montreal) |
N/A |
| James Moore |
United States |
Track & Field |
Modern Pentathlon |
|
1912 (Stockholm) |
|
Coaches
| Name |
Country |
Sport |
Events |
Years at Pitt |
Olympics |
Medal |
| Randy Waldrum |
Nigeria |
Women’s Soccer |
N/A |
2017-Present |
2024 (Paris) |
N/A |
| Jeff Capel |
United States |
Men’s Basketball |
Staff Assistant |
2018-Present |
2016 (Rio de Janeiro) |
Gold |
| John Hargis |
United States |
Swimming |
100m Butterfly, 4x100m Medley Relay |
2016-21 |
1996 (Atlanta) |
Gold - 4x100m Medley Relay |
Paralympians
| Name |
Country |
Sport |
Events |
Years at Pitt |
Olympics |
Medal |
| William Lachenauer |
United States |
Cycling |
Team Relay (Mixed), Time Trial, Road Race |
1991-94 |
2016 (Rio de Janeiro) |
Silver, Fifth, 12th |
| Andre Watson |
United States |
Judo |
90kg Judo |
|
2008 (Beijing) |
N/A |