Aug. 3, 2007

DALLAS (SMU) - Eight former SMU track and field student-athletes will be qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, looking to represent their respective countries. They include:

Kajsa Bergqvist (high jump): World Record Holder; Bronze Medalist in 2000 Olympics; currently ranked number one in the world; NCAA Collegiate record holder; will be representing Sweden.

Gaelle Niare (high jump or heptathlon): Four-time All-America selection, (three times in high jump and once in heptathlon); will represent France.

Florence Ezeh (hammer throw): Former Collegiate record holder; five-time NCAA Champion in the hammer and weight throw; will represent Togo.

Aleksander Tammert (discus): Bronze medalist in the discus in 2004 Olympics; three-time All-American while at SMU; currently ranked third in the world. Will represent Estonia.

Libor Charfreitag (hammer throw): Five-time NCAA Champion for SMU; collegiate record holder in 35lb. weight throw; ranked in the top 10 in the world for each of the last five years; placed seventh in the 2004 Olympics in the hammer throw; will represent Slovakia.

Hannes Hopley (discus): Two-time NCAA champion in the discus throw; NCAA collegiate record holder in the discus; eighth place in the 2004 Olympic Games; will represent South Africa.

Janus Robberts (shot put): Five-time NCAA Champion (four times in the shot put and once in the discus); seventh in the 2000 Olympic Games; will represent South Africa.

Michael Robertson (discus): Two-time All-America selection for SMU; NCAA Champion for Stanford; USA Champion in the discus in 2007; gold medalist at the 2007 Pan American Games; Will be one of the favorites to represent the USA in the discus.

For more information on the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, click here.