UTEP Miners Who Have All Won Medals During the Olympics

UTEP & El Paso has had a long history with the Olympics; for years we've seen several former (and current) Miners represent UTEP in the Olympics. Some have gone on to win the bronze, silver & gold medals throughout history.

Bob Beamon (1968)

The first UTEP Miner to win the gold medal at the Olympics was Bob Beamon during the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. He would win the gold in the long jump competition by jumping an impressive length of 29 ft. 2.5 inches (8.90 m). His record would stand still until it was broken in 1991.

Olapade Adeniken (1992)

The 1992 Summer Olympics would take place in Barcelona Spain; this is where Olapade Adeniken would win the silver medal in the 4x100 meters relay representing UTEP & his home country of Nigeria. Olapade would be inducted into the UTEP Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2010.

Blessing Okagbare (2008)

The 2008 Bejing Olympics saw a LOT of former UTEP Miners make the cut; a total of 11 members of the UTEP track & field went to represent. Some of these names include Mickael Hanary, Churandy Martina & Blessing Okagbare. She would win the bronze medal in the long jump competition and the bronze medal in 4x100 meters relay representing UTEP & her home country of Nigeria.

Emmanuel Korir

The latest person to win a gold medal from UTEP was Emmanuel Korir from Kenya. Emmanuel took home the gold in the 800m during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Other notable names include Ria Stalman who won the gold during the 1984 Los Angeles in the discus throw, Halimat Ismaila & Blessing Okagbare who each won the bronze medals in the 4x100 relay at the 2008 Bejing Olympics. Blessing would also win the SILVER medal in the long jump competition.

Even the ones who DON'T win medals, that's still a HUGE accomplishment to be able to make it to the Olympics. Congratulations to all these past winners & good luck to future winners at the Olympics

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