Yale News

Nine different Bulldogs received a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Twenty current and former Yale athletes represented the Blue and White across four different sports: rowing, sailing, football and Paralympic swimming. Sixteen competed in rowing, accounting for eight of Yale’s nine total medals. 

Seven of the rowers who medaled are Yale alumni. Tom Digby ’20, Sholto Carnegie ’18 and Charlie Elwes ’19 took home gold in the men’s eight racing for Great Britain.  

“A key characteristic that Yale crew has that is truly unique is a team dynamic that is fiercely competitive but also supportive,” Carnegie told the News. “This allowed us to push each other on at the same time as being incredibly close friends” 

Yale men’s heavyweight crew was a formative part of Cargenie’s rowing experience, he said. It pushed him to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming an Olympian. 

A unique part of Carnegie’s journey along Great Britain’s quest for gold was that he was rowing alongside three of his former teammates. 

“It was incredibly special to row with Charlie and Tom,” Carnegie said. “We’ve been through a lot together and when it comes down to racing in an Olympic final you need complete trust in your teammates and our crew had this in abundance.” 

Close behind the British trio was fellow Eli Nick Rusher ’23, who won bronze in the same event competing for the United States. 

“It’s never easy to race against a former teammate, but we know ultimately we are also representing Yale at the Olympics,” Rusher said. “It makes me incredibly proud to see so many Yale oarsmen and -women there!” 

In another impressive performance, Maya Meschkuleit ’25 rowed for Canada and won silver in the women’s eight event.

“My time rowing for Yale was absolutely instrumental in shaping my journey to the Olympics,” Meschkuleit said. “The rigorous training, disciplined schedule and high standards set by both my coaches and teammates at Yale not only honed my physical capabilities but also strengthened my mental toughness. These aspects were critical when transitioning to Olympic-level competition.” 

She elaborated further on the importance of her time at Yale, both on the water and around campus. 

“The environment at Yale, fostered by our coaches and the rowing community, truly inspired me to push my limits. Their unwavering support and belief in my potential played a significant role in my decision to pursue my Olympic dreams after witnessing their dedication and passion for excellence in rowing.” 

Meschkuleit felt especially supported knowing other Yalies were competing in Paris. 

In another Eli-vs-Eli matchup, Oliver Wynne-Griffith ’17 won silver for Great Britain in the Men’s Pair with Adrin Gulich ’22 of Switzerland right on his heels, grabbing bronze. 

Rounding out the rowers, Daire Lynch ’22 brought home bronze for Ireland in the men’s double sculls. 

Also on the water, Ian Barrows ’17 took home bronze in the sailing event men’s skiff for the United States, winning the only medal won outside of rowing by a Bulldog. 

Other notable top ten finishes include Daisy Mazzio-Manson ’20, who finished fifth in the women’s four, and Christina Bourmpou ’26 who finished in sixth in the women’s pair. Mazzio-Manson raced for the United States. 

Bourmpou raced for Greece as the youngest Yalie at the Olympics, having just completed her second year. 

Kristi Wagner ’15 rowed in the women’s double sculls for the U.S. and finished in ninth. 

In soccer, Michelle Alozie ’19 represented Yale on team Nigeria.

However, the Games are not over yet. There’s still one more Bulldog to watch. Ali Truwit ’23 is swimming in the Paralympics, and her first heat was on Aug. 29. 

The Olympics were held July 26 through Aug. 11.