University of Georgia Summer Olympians

When the London 2012 Summer Olympics open on Friday July 27th, 26 current or former students and staff will take to the courts, pools, pitch and track, including eight from the Franklin College. UGA sends one coach and one official - former UGA basketball great and four-time Olympic gold medalist Teresa Edwards will serve as chef de mission for the U.S. Olympic Committee. Per usual the very strong UGA swimming program will be well represented, sending 12 swimmers in all.

Allison Schmitt, a rising senior from Canton, Mich., won the 200- and 400-meter freestyle races at the Olympic Trials and also will swim on the 400- and 800-meter freestyle relays. She won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics as a member of the 800-meter freestyle relay. 

Schmitt, majoring in psychology with a minor in child and family development, is a favorite in her events at the 2012 games. Several current or former Bulldogs will represent their home countries at the Olympic games as well, including volleyball player Elizabeth Reid, a senior in psychology from London, England.

Congratulations to all these athletes for the remarkable experiences in store for them over the next three weeks. No matter how much the pomp and circumstance of the Olympics have grown up around the hosting and sponsorship of the games, for the athletes, coaches and billions of fans around the globe they continue to represent the pinnacle of international comraderie and healthy competition. It will be added fun watch individual Bulldogs in action on this grand stage.

Image: Swimmer Allison Schmitt, courtesy UGA Athletics.