Can you name DU's current and former summer Olympians?

In just about a week, the world will be glued to their devices as some of the best athletes compete against one another in Paris for a chance at gold. 

This year, members of the DU community will see one familiar face on their screens, as 2023 graduate and former Pioneer gymnast Lynnzee Brown represents Haiti—but the University has been home to 12 other Olympians, dating back as far as the late 1940s.

Who are they? Keep reading to see how many current and former summer Olympians you know.

Lynnzee Brown, gymnastics

2024 (Paris)

Country: Haiti

Brown (BA ’21, MA ’23) will compete in her first Summer Games later this month. Brown, who received the “universality spot” for women's artistic gymnastics, is also the first female gymnast to represent Haiti in the Olympics. Universality spots are awarded to athletes in certain sports from countries that are generally underrepresented. 

Brown is the fourth DU gymnast to qualify for the Olympics. During her time at the University, Brown won an NCAA national title on floor in 2019 and four Big 12 Conference championships, including in the all-around in 2021.

Simona Castro, gymnastics

2020 (Tokyo), 2016 (Rio de Janeiro), 2012 (London)

Country: Chile

As the first Chilean gymnast to qualify for the Olympics in 2012, Castro (BSBA ’13) made her first appearance on the world stage in London the summer before her senior year.

Castro placed 43rd overall (50.932) in 2012, 52nd overall (51.399) in 2016 and 75th overall (46.399) in 2020. 

Tonje Daffinrud, women’s golf

2020 (Tokyo)

Country: Norway

Daffinrud (BSBA ’14) turned pro in 2014 and competed in the Ladies European Tour until she retired following the 2020 Olympics—where she placed 60th overall.

During her time at DU, Daffinrud was named to the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American Scholar Team four times. During her senior year, Daffinrud was a Summit League champion and finished 10th individually at the 2014 NCAA Championship. 

Jessica Lopez, gymnastics

2016 (Rio de Janeiro), 2012 (London), 2008 (Beijing)

Country: Venezuela

Lopez (BA ’09, MBA ’24) competed in three Olympic games following a tremendously successful collegiate gymnastics career. In Beijing, Lopez finished seventh overall in the all-around and advanced to the uneven bars event final, where she placed sixth.

As one of the most decorated gymnasts in the University’s history, Lopez earned five All-American honors in three appearances at the NCAA National Championships and won 83 individual titles during her career.

Lopez graduated this summer from the Professional MBA (PMBA) program at the Daniels College of Business.

Espen Kofstad, men’s golf

2016 (Rio de Janeiro)

Country: Norway

Kofstad (BBA ’10) represented Norway at both the World Cup of Golf (2013) and the Olympic Games. He earned his spot in the 2016 Summer Games after a sudden death playoff win at the D+D REAL Slovakia Challenge.

Kofstad currently competes on the DP World Tour.

Blake Worsley, swimming

2012 (London)

Country: Canada

During the 2012 Olympics, Worsley (BS ’09) finished 17th overall in the 200m freestyle event and was part of the 4x200m freestyle relay team that finished 14th.

To finish off his senior year, Worsley was the first swimming athlete since Denver returned to Division I status to finish in the top eight at the NCAA championships. He was also named DU’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2009.

Annamari Maaranen, gymnastics

2008 (Beijing)

Country: Finland

As a freshman, Maaranen (BA ’11) was one of the first DU gymnasts to qualify for the Olympics. She was also the first Finnish gymnast in 44 years to earn a spot  to compete in the games. 

Maaranen ultimately could not compete due to injury.

Janet Redwine, artistic swimming

2008 (Beijing)

Country: United States

Redwine placed fifth in Beijing as a member of the U.S. Olympic Artistic Swimming team. Now she’s the director of program success for Executive Education at the Daniels College of Business.

Redwine, who grew up in Colorado, joined the staff of the Daniels Executive Education program in 2021.

Michaela “Misa” Pavlickova, women’s basketball

2004 (Athens) 

Country: Czech Republic

Pavlickova (BSBA ’01)) competed in Athens on the Czech Republic’s women’s basketball team after wrapping up a record-setting collegiate career at DU. 

During her collegiate career, the team finished the 2000-2001 season with a 24-7 overall record and an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Pavlickova was the first DU women's basketball player to be drafted to the WNBA when she was picked 24th overall by the Utah Starzz in 2001.

Yoram Kochavy, swimming

1984 (Los Angeles)

Country: Israel

In Los Angeles, Kochavy (BS ’86, MS ’87) placed 22nd in the 200m butterfly, 27th in the 200m individual medley and 16th in the 400m individual medley.

During his collegiate career, Kochavy won National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) individual titles in 1985 and 1986.

John "Jack" Kelso, swimming

1964 (Tokyo)

Country: Canada

While swimming for his home country, Kelso (BA ’63) won four medals at the Commonwealth Games and two more at Pan-Am Games while setting Canadian records in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and the 400m individual medley in 1964, according to the UBC Sports Hall of Fame.

In 1961, Kelso ( ’63) earned an NCAA national title and was named an All-American.

Jerome Biffle, track and field

1952 (Helsinki)

Country: United States

DU’s second gold medalist, Biffle (BSBA ’50, MA ’59) did so in the 1952 Olympic long jump—sailing 24 feet, 10 inches.

During his collegiate career, Biffle helped the Pioneers win the Skyline Conference Title in 1949 and was named Track and Field News' top collegiate track star in 1950.

Vince Boryla, men’s basketball

1948 (London)

Country: United States

Boryla (BS ’50) was DU’s first gold medalist as a forward on the 1948 U.S. men’s basketball team.

As a member of the Pioneers’ men’s basketball team from 1948 to 1949, Boryla is the only consensus All-American in the program’s history. Boryla was both a player and a coach before serving in front office roles for the Utah Stars and the Denver Nuggets.