As the world's eyes turn toward the ancient city of Athens, Greece, some of our Badger athletes are readying themselves for a shot at the gold. Seven UW-Madison student athletes and alumni will represent the United States and other countries in this summer's Olympic Games to be held from August 13 29. Follow the competition and cheer for our Badger athletes!
Badger Athletes
Beau Hoopman
Rowing
A former Wisconsin rowing captain, Hoopman '03 will compete with the men's eight. Hoopman led the Badger varsity eight to its first Eastern Sprints title since 1946 and a runner-up result in the national championship race.
Matt Smith
Rowing
Smith '00 will race the men's lightweight four. Smith led the Badgers as captain for the 1999-00 campaign, stroking the varsity eight to an eighth-place result at the national championships in that senior season.
Hoopman and Smith give the Badger rowing program bragging rights for placing at least one rower in each of the last 10 Olympic summer games dating back to 1968. They also bring the total UW menıs rowers in the Olympics to 10.
Carly Piper
Swimming
This senior-to-be, who is the first female Badger swimmer to earn an Olympic berth, will compete in the 800-meter freestyle relay.
Adam Mania
Swimming
Also heading into his senior year, Mania, who has citizenship in both the United States and Poland, will compete in the 100-meter backstroke for the Polish Olympic Team.
Kathy Butler
Track & Field
Butler '97 will represent Great Britain in track and field, competing in the10,000 meter event. This marks Butlerıs second appearance at the Olympic Games, after representing Canada in the 1996 Games in Atlanta.
Matt Imes
Rowing Coach
Also representing the Badger rowers for the U.S. Olympic rowing team is Matt Imes 94, who rowed for the UW from 198991. He will serve as one of the four assistant coaches for the American contingent.
Kathy Butler demonstrates Badger form in UW's Camp Randall Sports Center (the Shell).
Kirk Penney
Basketball
After helping lead the Badgers to an impressive Final Four appearance in 2000, Penney xı03 went on to play for New Zealand, and was a member of their first ever menıs Olympic basketball team in 2000. The 2004 Games will mark his second appearance at the Olympics for New Zealand.
Lois Harrison
Massage Therapist
As a competitive womenıs rower at UW-Madison in the late 70s, Lois Harrison hoped to compete in the Olympics before a shoulder injury sidelined her. Now, almost 30 years later, Harrison will make her Olympic debut -- not as a champion rower but as a volunteer massage therapist.
Kirk Penney on the court for the Badgers.