Villanova University Set to Continue Summer Olympics Tradition in Paris
Patrick Tiernan '16 CLAS Heads to Paris as University Celebrates Latest Chapter of Olympic Tradition
VILLANOVA, Pa. (July 18, 2024) — For the 20th consecutive Summer Olympics there will be at least one Villanovan competing on the world's biggest stage. Former track & field standout Patrick Tiernan '16 CLAS was named one of five athletes selected by the Australian Olympic Committee to compete in the marathon at Paris 2024 Olympics. It will be the third Olympics for Tiernan, a national champion in cross country for the Wildcats in 2016 who previously competed in track events at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics.
Also competing in Paris this summer is Karlie Kisha, a member of the Villanova field hockey coaching staff who will be playing in her first Olympics for Team USA.
VILLANOVANS AT THE OLYMPICS
There has been at least one Villanovan in every Summer Olympics since 1948 and Tiernan is one of 66 Olympians all-time with Villanova ties. The group represents 16 countries and four continents spanning 10 different sports in a tradition that dates back to James O'Connell competing for the United States in the broad jump at the 1908 Olympics in London. There have been 16 medal winners from Villanova, including 11 gold medalists and five silver medalists.
Tiernan will become the eighth Villanovan to compete in at least three Olympiads. He debuted in 2016 in Rio when he competed in the 5,000 meters and also competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics—which were delayed until 2021—and was a qualifier in both the 10,000 meters and the 5,000 meters.
In 2016, Tiernan became the first Villanova student-athlete to compete in the Olympics while still enrolled in school since American swimmer Maddy Crippen in 2000. Tiernan was the first track & field athlete to achieve that distinction since women's distance runner Vicki Huber in 1988. He enjoyed a sensational year in 2016, as he competed in the Olympics in August and was the individual NCAA cross country champion in November.
HOW TO WATCH
The men’s marathon will be contested on Saturday, August 10, at 2 a.m. ET (8 a.m. CEST). The Olympics can be viewed on the NBC family of networks, including the Peacock streaming app.
ABOUT THE MARATHON
The Olympic marathon is a legendary event and has featured on the program since the first Games of the modern era in 1896. The Paris 2024 Olympic marathon honors this event and will follow a unique route paying tribute to the rich history of France and Paris. The route will take in iconic monuments like the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower and pays tribute to a key moment in French history and the French Revolution, by following the route of the Women's March on Versailles in 1789.
ABOUT THE XXXIII OLYMPIAD
The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad and branded as Paris 2024, run from July 26 through August 11. Opening ceremonies will be held on Friday, July 26, with a closing ceremony scheduled for Sunday, August 11.