Louisville track and field just vaulted onto the world stage. Jayden Ulrich, the Cardinals’ discus dynamo, has been tapped for Team USA’s Paris Olympics roster, making her the first Louisville athlete to don the red, white, and blue on track’s biggest stage.
Ulrich’s selection isn’t just a personal triumph; it’s a landmark moment for the entire program. She follows in the footsteps of Chinwe Okoro, who flew Nigeria’s flag in Rio 2016, as only the second female Olympian in Louisville history.
“This is what we’ve been chasing,” Cards’ track boss Joe Franklin told the Courier Journal. “Jayden’s not just representing herself in Paris, she’s carrying the torch for every Louisville athlete who’s ever dreamed of Olympic glory.”
The Illinois native punched her ticket with a silver-medal heave at the Olympic Trials, launching herself into the company of reigning gold medalist Valarie Allman. With seven 60-meter-plus throws this year and a school record that ranks among collegiate royalty, Ulrich’s not just going to Paris to participate – she’s there to compete.
Mark your calendars, Cardinal faithful. August 2nd and 5th could see a Louisville legend etched in Olympic stone. As Ulrich steps into the discus circle in Paris, she’ll be carrying more than just metal – she’ll be holding the hopes of an entire university.
For Ulrich, it’s the culmination of a dream. For Louisville, it’s a new era of Olympic possibility. The message is clear: from the banks of the Ohio to the streets of Paris, Cardinal athletes are ready to soar.
Louisville Track & Field at the Olympics
Athletes:
Men
Matt Hughes – Men’s 3000m Steeplechase – Team Canada – 2016, 2020
Wesley Korir – Men’s Marathon – Team Kenya – 2016
Ben Williams – Men’s Triple Jump – Team Great Britain – 2020
Women
Chinwe Okoro – Women’s Discus Throw – Team Nigeria – 2016
Jayden Ulrich – Women’s Discus Throw – Team USA – 2024
Coach:
Ron Mann – Middle Distance Coach – Team USA – 2008
