A dozen current and former University of Alabama athletes will compete in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, with former UA track star Kirani James as the top medal hope. James, a Tuscaloosa resident who is trained by former Alabama coach Harvey Glance, is defending gold medalist in the 400 meters. James will represent his native Grenada at the Summer Games.
Opening ceremonies are set for Friday night.
James has the world’s second-fastest time in the 400 meters this year at 44.08 seconds and finished third at last year’s World Championships. His winning time at the 2012 Summer Games in London was 43.94. LaShawn Merritt of the U.S. has the world’s fastest time in the event this year at 43.97.
UA runner Jereem Richards will compete in the 4x400 relay for his native Trinidad and Tobago, which won the bronze medal in the event at the 2012 World Championships.
"For me, the Olympic games are the pinnacle of all track and field," Richards said. "Before I even started running track, I remember looking at the TV and there was one guy called Ato Boldon (a four-time Olympic medal winner) from my country, he was one of the greatest track and field athletes in Trinidad and Tobago.
"I really looked up to him even before I started running track. Since that day, I dedicated to myself that I wanted to become an Olympian and become just like Ato Boldon. To actually get the opportunity to go to the Olympics, I actually achieved that goal right now. I’m just trying to excel and not just get to the Olympics, but actually come back with precious metal."
He has also been instructed by his mother to bring back photos.
"I was just talking to my mom (earlier this week) and she was like, ‘I know you’re going to go and compete and that’s the most important thing,’ but she was also like, ‘Don’t forget to take pictures.’ So you know the big statue with Jesus holding his arms out, she was like, ‘Make sure to take a picture next to that.’ So if I get the time to, I would want to go and take a picture," he said.
Richards will join James and two other former UA athletes in the track and field competition: Alex Amankwah of Ghana and Ahmed Ali of Sudan.
Alabama will have seven current or former swimmers from five different countries competing: Kristian Gkolomeev, Jack Hadjiconstantinou and Kristel Vourna of Greece, B.J. Hornikel of Germany, Anton McKee of Iceland, Abbas Qali of Kuwait and Christopher Reid of South Africa.
Former UA golfer Stephanie Meadow will represent Ireland.
