U-M athletes compete in the Olympics

A group of 40 competitors and coaches with University of Michigan connections punched their tickets to the 2016 Olympic Games and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Twelve of them, including athletes and coaches, hailed from the Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving programs. In addition, Michael Phelps—the most-decorated Olympian of all time who trained, coached and attended classes at U-M for four years beginning in 2004—was once again part of the team.

U-M men’s head swimming coach Mike Bottom was appointed to Team USA’s coaching staff for the games. He assisted head coach Bob Bowman, who worked as U-M’s head coach from 2004 to 2008.

In addition to swimming, U-M had athletes competing in Men’s Gymnastics, Women’s Rowing, Sailing and Men’s and Women’s Track and Field. For more than a century, U-M students, student-athletes and coaches have represented their countries on the world’s biggest stage, collecting 157 Olympic medals.

U-M student Zach Burns, a sophomore on the men's club rowing team, won a silver medal (3:19.61) as part of the U.S. Legs, Trunks and Arms Mixed Coxed Four yesterday at the 2016 Paralympics.

Jeff Porter used a lean at the tape to claim third place at the U.S. trials and a second Olympic trip in the 110m hurdles. Porter (U-M 2005-2007) won the NCAA Indoor 60m hurdles title in 2007.

Former University of Michigan women's soccer player Shelina Zadorsky (4) (2010-13) helped the Canadian Women's National Team secure bronze with a 2-1 win over host country Brazil in the Olympic bronze-medal match at Corinthians Arena.

For the 5th consecutive Olympiad U-M was represented in the men's 1500m race. New Zealand's Nick Willis (U-M 2002-2004) in black has been in four of them. Nate Brannen (U-M 2002-2005) representing Canada (8) ran in his third Olympic 1500m.

Sam Mikulak (U-M 2011-2014) took first place in the all-around at the U.S. trials to earn his second Olympic bid. He was three-time Big Ten Gymnast of the year, won 6 NCAA individual titles and led U-M to NCAA team titles in 2013 and 2014.