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NDN All-Stars In The Olympics

NDN All-Stars Olympics Post Logo

As the world comes together for the 2024 Olympics opening ceremonies, I would like to remind you of some of the amazing Native American athletes who have participated in past Olympic Games. These athletes showed incredible skill and talent and are great examples to Native athletes everywhere.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate their journeys and be inspired by their amazing accomplishments. These athletes remind us that with dreams and determination, anything is possible.

Here are some of the great NDN All-Stars who have participated in the Summer Olympics:


Basketball

Jesse “Cab” Renick (Chickasaw/Choctaw) – Won gold with the U.S. basketball team at the 1948 London Olympics.

Kyrie Irving (Standing Rock Sioux) – Competed in the 2016 Olympics, winning a gold medal with the U.S. basketball team..

Canoe/Kayak

Alwyn Morris (Mohawk) – Competed in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, winning gold in the K-2 1000m and bronze in the K-2 500m; also competed in the 1988 Seoul Olympics..

Golf

Rickie Fowler (Navajo) – Competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Hockey

Clarence “Taffy” Abel (Ojibwe) – Won Silver in the 1924 Winter Olympics. Was the U.S. Flag bearer.

Judo

Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne) – Competed in judo at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and served as the captain of the U.S. judo team.

Track and Field

Frank Pierce (Seneca) – Competed in the marathon at the 1904 St. Louis Olympics.

Tom Longboat (Onondaga) – Competed in the marathon at the 1908 London Olympics.

Jim Thorpe (Sac & Fox) – Won gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

Andrew Sockalexis (Penobscot) – Competed in the marathon at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

Louis Tewanima (Hopi) – Won a silver medal in the 10,000 meters at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

Alex Decoteau (Cree) – Competed in the 5,000 meters at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

Benjamin “Joe” Keeper (Cree) – Competed in the 10,000 meters at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, finishing fourth.

Ellison “Tarzan” Brown (Narragansett) – Competed in the marathon at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Wilson “Buster” Charles” (Oneida) – Competed in the decathlon in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, finishing 4th.

Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota) – Won gold in the 10,000 meters at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Sharon Day-Monroe (Mohawk) – Competed in track and field events at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

Lolo Jones (Choctaw) – Competed in hurdles at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics..

Volleyball

Jordan Larson (Ho-Chunk) – Accomplished volleyball player with multiple Olympic medals in 2012, 2016, and 2020.

Wrestling

Dan Henderson (Walla Walla) – Competed in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics.

Jacob Deitchler (Ojibwe) – Competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling.


I am sure that there are more, and I am digging around to see who else I can add to this impressive list.  If you know of someone I have omitted, please leave me a comment below so I can add them!

Now, let’s cheer on the current participants as we enjoy the spirit of unity and excellence that the Olympic Games bring.


#NDNAllstars #Olympics #track&field #wrestling #judo #running #pentathlon #decathlon

 


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