July 30, 2008

DALLAS (SMU) - As the world watches the action surrounding the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, SMU alumni, coaches and student-athletes are gearing up for the games as competitors, coaches and officials.

SMU will have its largest presence in the pool, where nine Mustangs will be competing. In addition to the competitors, current SMU women's head coach Steve Collins will be coaching the Slovakian National Team and current men's head coach Eddie Sinnott will be manager for the U.S. Team.

SMU's strong track & field tradition will also be showcased as four former `Stangs will compete. Libor Charfreitag, Michael Robertson and Aleksander Tammert will take part in the throws, while Gaelle Niare will high jump.

Former Mustang swimmer Laura Reback Bennett qualified for a spot on the U.S. triathlon team. MOJO HD's new summer series, "A Shot at Glory," will feature Bennett on Monday, Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. CT, with additional airings on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

Additionally, tennis letterwinner Rodney Harmon will serve as head men's tennis coach of the U.S. Olympic Team, and swimmer turned rower Dr. Rania Elwani ('99) will serve as a member of the International Olympic Committee's Athletes Commission.

A full list of SMU's current competitors is here, and a list of SMU's Olympians since 1968 is available here.

The Games are set to begin on August 8.