5 Harvard alumni and student-athletes who won gold medal in Paris Olympics 2024 ft. Gabby Thomas

By Nikhil Mahajan Madhavan

Modified Aug 08, 2024 11:48 GMT

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Harvard University continues to shine at the 2024 Olympic Games, with its alumni and student-athletes accounting for an impressive five gold medals and 11 medals in total so far.

It is no secret that the famed Ivy League university has a rich history at the international sporting event, with its students consistently bringing back laurels year after year. Their extensive sports course has often been hailed as one of the best in the world, consistently reaping rewards ever since the dawn of the modern Games.

With 11 medals so far this year, Harvard has now the most medals in a single Olympics since their historic 1896 campaign in Athens which saw them lift 12 medals in total.

So, without further ado, here's a look at the 5 Harvard alumni and student-athletes who won gold medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

#5 Lisa Tertsch

Tim Hellwig, Lisa Tertsch, Lasse Luehrs, and Laura Lindemann, pose after winning the Triathlon Mixed Relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics (Picture: Getty)

Lisa Tertsch, along with the rest of her German team consisting of Tim Hellwig, Lasse Luehrs, and Laura Lindemann, won the gold medal in the mixed relay triathlon event on Monday, August 5. It was an incredibly close contest that saw them edge the U.S. ahead by a single second.

Aged 25, it was Tertsch's first-ever Olympic Games. She was pivotal in her team's success, surging them from seventh place to first during her run. Her victory was just the second time a Harvard alumni or student from another country apart from the U.S. won the gold medal. It was also the first time a German Harvard student won a medal at the Olympics.

Tertsh studied Economics at Harvard from 2016-19. She was a part of the track and field team during her time there and competed in multiple events including the 800m, the 5000m, and the shot put, among others.

#4 Lauren Scruggs

Lauren Scruggs at the 2024 Paris Olympics (Picture: Getty)

Lauren Scruggs, along with Lee Kiefer, Maia Mei Weintraub, and Jacqueline Dubrovich, reigned supreme in the women's Foil Team final on day six, edging out Italy to give the U.S. their first-ever team gold medal in fencing. This comes after she scripted history earlier in the Summer Games by becoming the first woman of color from America to win an individual Olympic fencing medal, having won silver in the individual foil event on Sunday.

Scruggs became the first active Harvard student to win a gold medal since David Berkoff in the 1988 Olympics. She is currently majoring in Philosophy at Harvard. She was an NCAA Northeast Regional Women's Foil Champion, First Team All-Ivy League, and First Team Northeast All-Region all in her first year.

#3 Liam Corrigan

Nick Mead, Justin Best, Michael Grady and Liam Corrigan from the USA celebrate with their gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics (Picture: Getty)

Liam Corrigan scripted history for the US at the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning the 2,000-meter men's four-rowing final alongside teammates Michael Grady, Justin Best, and Nick Mead. It was the country's first gold medal in men's four rowing since 1960.

Corrigan grew up in Old Lyme and graduated from Harvard in 2019 with a degree in Physics and Astrophysics. He also holds a degree in financial economics from Oxford University.

#2 Kristen Faulkner

Jennifer Valente, Lily Williams, Chloe Dygert, and Kristen Faulkner of Team United States celebrate their gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics (Picture: Getty)

Kristen Faulker has been on a roll at the 2024 Paris Olympics with two gold medals to her name already. She ended the USA's 40-year drought in the sport by claiming the top spot in the women’s road race. It was the first time since 1984 that an American rider saw Gold.

Faulker followed it up with another gold medal in the women's team pursuit·track alongside Jennifer Valente, Lily Williams, and Chloe Dygert.

What makes the win even more special is the fact that Faulkner initially didn't even qualify for the Olympics. She was gifted a spot when Taylor Knibb withdrew to focus solely on triathlon. Faulkner learned the sport only six years ago.

Faulkner graduated from Harvard back in 2016 with a degree in Computer Science. She dedicated much of her time rowing while at Harvard and even held the record for the fastest 2k indoor rowing time for lightweight women.

#1 Gabby Thomas

Gabby Thomas celebrates her 200m win at the 2024 Paris Olympics (Picture: Getty)

Gabby Thomas kept the Harvard flag flying with pride after her emphatic victory in the women's 200m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It was her first Olympic gold medal after finishing second in Tokyo.

Thomas' win also meant that she was the first American since the legendary Allyson Felix in 2012 to win the 200m. She will also compete in the 4x100-meter relay in Paris.

Thomas graduated from Harvard with an undergraduate degree in Neurobiology and Global Health. She completed a master's degree a couple of years later from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Epidemiology.