Sports

Olympics Day 1 Roundup: Matheson and field hockey trio claim early victories

Eight Princeton Olympians competed in soccer, hockey, fencing and rowing on the first day of the Games. Soccer player Diana Matheson ’08, who is competing for Canada in her third Olympic Games, contributed to her team’s 3-1 win over Zimbabwe.

Opening Ceremony ignites Olympic Games for Tigers

In a brilliant performance rooted in the country’s heritage and natural wonders, Brazil welcomed the world to the 2016 Summer Olympics on Friday night. For a few hours, Brazil put aside the controversies and concerns leading up to the Games and celebrated its culture.

University Olympians share one piece of advice for future Olympians

University students and alumni who competed in the Olympic Games through the years have advice for future Olympians, withmost centering around making the most of the Olympic experience without getting distracted. “From one athlete to another: You've done all of the work, you've done all the training and you've done everything you could to prepare you for this moment—now just let it all hang out,” American rower Tom Welsh ’99 said. Fellow American rower Kevin Cotter ’96 said that Olympians should know that the Olympic Games are not the peak of their career. “There is more to do.

University Olympians share their favorite moments

Students and alumni who have represented various nations in several sports shared favorite moments from their University and Olympic experiences. Olympic Silver Medalist Peter Raymond ’68 said that his favorite moment at the University was sitting atop the old Palmer stadium with Don Marsh '68 after a fall workout running the steps “on one of those soft pastel afternoons”. At the Olympics, one of his favorite moments was the afternoon before the finals when his team had lightly rowed up and down the course “in perfect quiet and calm." "As we turned to head back up, suddenly the sound system opened with Joan Baez's The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.

University Olympians recount their most challenging moments

While most Olympians from the University said that writing their thesis was the most challenging experience of their lives, several others recalled specific moments in their sporting and University careers that had challenged them immensely. Olympic silver medalist Peter Raymond ’68 said that the nadir of his University athletic experience was the final rowing race during his freshman year when, in intense heat and humidity in a two-mile race, he “got into serious trouble” within the first half-mile, possibly due to dehydration. “It was a perfect horror show… After getting thoroughly clobbered and giving away my racing shirt to Navy's #6, I walked slowly toward the finish line to watch the JV and varsity race, carrying my tee shirt because of the heat.

On Tap with Ashleigh Johnson '17

On Tap with Katie Reinprecht '13

KatieReinprecht ’13 is all set to play field hockey for the US Women’s National Team alongside her sister, Julia Reinprecht ’14, this summer at their second Olympic Games.

The Olympics Series: The Past Ten Years

Since the 2008 Games, there have been anaverage of fourteen University Olympians participating in the Games,an increasefrom the three to four Olympians participating a quadrennial within the past decade. 2008: Better Colored Hardware Puerto Rican swimmer Douglas Lennox ’09 said that Beijing was a veryexcitingcity of really kindhearted and enthusiastic citizens. “Their appreciation and admiration of the Olympic athletes, coaches and spectators was apparent in their hospitality, curiosity and support not just when we arrived but throughout the entire month of August when the Games were occurring,” Lennox said. Lennox added that he met a lot of people from the University community while at the Games, in addition to the fifteen Olympians from the University competing at the Games. “There was a Friends of Princeton dinner in Beijing where they gave us each a fancy Chinese stamp-making kit with our initials,” Lennox added. American rower Lia Pernell ’03 said that one of her favorite parts of the Games was the Olympic Village, which she and her teammates arrived inafter their races ended. “Everyone there [at the Village] had worked so hard on their sport and just got to the Olympic level.

The Olympics Series: Through the 1990s and early 2000s

1990s: Fulfilled Dreams and Missing Olympians Swiss swimmer Nathalie Kirkwood ’93 said that the Olympic Village for the 1992 Games in Barcelona was amazing.

The Olympics Series: 1980s

A United States-led boycott of the 1980 Games in Moscow sparked some controversy before the 1984 Games were hosted by the United States.1980: The BoycottThe 1980 Games were scheduled to take place in Moscow, but in December 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.This caused then U.S.

On Tap with Glenn Ochal '08

The Olympics Series: 1970s

Following the “black power” protests that occurred at the 1968 Games in Mexico City, the Games in the 1970s continued toserve asaplaceforpolitical statements.1972: Terrorism at the GamesAmerican rower Peter Raymond ’68 said thatWest Germany was making its first bid to rejoin the world community after World War II by hostingthe Games.Thorsteinn Thorstensson Gislason ’69, a runner for Iceland and one of the first few Olympians from the University to represent a nation other than the United States at the Games, said that the 1972 Munich Games were very festive when they began.“This was the face of New Germany that they were presenting in Munich.

The Olympics Series: 1940s to 1960s

The 1940 Olympic Games were originally scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan, but were reassigned to Helsinki, Finland after Japan invaded China.

On Tap with Gevvie Stone '07

American rower GevvieStone’07 will be competing in the single sculls at the Olympic Games once again this summer.

The Olympics Series: First Games to World War II

University students and alumni began competing in the Olympics from the very first modern Games in 1896.

On Tap with Kate Bertko '06

American rower Kate Bertko ’06 has gone from being unable to stand up straight after a serious abdominal surgery to qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in less than three years.

Introducing The Olympics Series: Dreams, Challenges and Triumphs

Ninety-eight University students and alumni have competed in the summer Olympic Games for a total of 135 appearances between the 1897 and 2012 Games. “Even if you had some experience with international competition, this [the Games] is probably the first time and the only time so many countries all gathered together in one village.

Embrace the Challenge: Courtney Banghart and the Tasks Ahead for Women’s Basketball

On the right wall in Courtney Banghart’s office is a framed article: Fortune Magazine’s 50 Greatest Leaders from 2015.

Q&A: Samuel Young ’96 of Princeton Football

This Reunions, the Prince had a chance to sit down and talk with Samuel Young ’96, a former defensive tackle on the Princeton football team.

Q&A with Tom Bevan ’91 of Princeton Football, Founder of RealClearPolitics

Over Reunions, the Prince sat down with Thomas Bevan ’91, co-founder and publisher of RealClearPolitics.