Lincoln – The University of Nebraska will be well represented in the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympics, as 17 athletes or coaches with Husker ties will be in London beginning this week. Huskers will represent eight countries and cover eight events. Action begins prior to the Opening Ceremonies with the start of the soccer competition on Wednesday. Former Husker standouts Brittany Timko and Karina Leblanc will be among the first Olympians in action, as they will represent Canada in soccer.
Huskers.com has complete Olympic coverage, including bios on each of the Nebraska athletes in London, as well as event schedules and a complete history of Huskers in the Olympic Games. In all, Husker athletes have won 36 medals in Olympic competition, including 10 gold medals.
The most decorated Olympian among the current Husker contingent is former swimmer Therese Alshammar, who will appear in her fifth Olympic Games. She is a three-time medalist, winning two silvers and a bronze medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Alshammar is one of five former Huskers making multiple appearances in the Olympic Games. Wrestler Jordan Burroughs and volleyball star Jordan Larson headline the contingent of eight first-time Olympians, as Burroughs is the reigning world champion at 74 kg (163 pounds) while the U.S. volleyball team is ranked first in the world heading into the London Games.
In addition to 13 former athletes, one future Husker will also be in action, as incoming track recruit Janis Leitis will run for Latvia in the 400 meters. In the coaching ranks, former gymnastics and track standout Peggy Liddick will be coaching the Australian women’s gymnastics team for the fourth time after coaching Shannon Miller in both the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. Current Husker wrestling coach Mark Manning will serve as an assistant coach for Team USA, the third time he has been chosen to serve in that capacity.
| Former Student-Athletes |
| Country | Name | Sport | Olympics | Competed at Nebraska |
| Australia | Aleks Maric | Men’s Basketball | 1st | 2005-06-07-08 |
| Canada | Chelsea Aubry | Women’s Basketball | 1st | 2004-05-06-07 |
| Canada | Karina Leblanc | Women’s Soccer | 2nd | 1997-98-99-00 |
| Canada | Brittany Timko | Women’s Soccer | 2nd | 2003-04-05-06 |
| Great Britain | Carl Myerscough | Men’s Track & Field | 1st | 2000-01-02-03-04 |
| Hungary | Gyorgyi Farkas | Women’s Track & Field | 1st | 2007 |
| Latvia | Ineta Radevica | Women’s Track & Field | 2nd | 2003-04 |
| Nigeria | Ade Dagunduro | Men’s Basketball | 1st | 2008-09 |
| Sweden | Therese Alshammar | Women’s Swimming | 5th | 1998-99 |
| United States | Jordan Burroughs | Men’s Wrestling | 1st | 2007-08-09-11 |
| United States | Amber Neben | Women’s Cycling | 2nd | 1994 |
| United States | Jordan Larson | Women’s Volleyball | 1st | 2005-06-07-08 |
| United States | Chante McMillan | Women’s Track & Field | 1st | 2007-08-09-10-11 |
Incoming Student-Athlete |
| Country | Name | Sport | Olympics | |
| Latvia | Janis Leitis | Men’s Track & Field | 1st |
Coaches with Nebraska Ties |
| Country | Name | Sport | Position | at NU (Athlete) | At NU (Coach) |
| Australia | Peggy Liddick | Women’s Gymnastics | Head Coach | 1977-78-79 | 1989 |
| Canada | Jan Bidrman | Swimming | Assistant Coach | 1990 | 1992-96 |
| United States | Mark Manning | Men’s Wrestling | Assistant Coach | – | 2000-present |
— Seamus McKnight, Nebraska Sports Information