ATLANTA — It's no secret that Georgia Tech will represent at the 2024 Paris Olympics. On Thursday, the university announced that five of its Yellow Jackets will be heading to the Games.
Rising senior Berke Saka, recent alumnae Imane El Barodi, and incoming freshmen Ela Naz Ozdemir and Giovana Reis will be joining Ariana Dirkzwager on the big stage.
11Alive previously reported that sophomore Dirkzwager, originally from Wichita, Kansas, will compete for Laos in the Summer Games in the 200-meter freestyle.
"I can already picture myself being at the pool and just being star-struck. Like thinking about it, I'm in awe because I can imagine how big it'd be, how big the crowds are going to be and how many fast people are gonna be there," Dirkzwager previously said.
Saka, originally from Istanbul, will compete for Turkey in the 200-meter backstroke. According to his bio, he participated in the NCAA championships in 2023. The school added that Saka will be returning to the Olympics after competing in the same event in Tokyo three summers ago. Ozdemir will also be competing for Turkey in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay.
El Barodi will compete for Morrocco in the 100-meter breaststroke. According to her bio, she is originally from France. During her college career, she swam competitively, setting many personal bests.
Reis will be competing for Brazil in the 4x400-meter freestyle relay, according to the university.
Four of the swimmers will be making their Olympic debuts.
They won't be the only five going to the Olympics. Their Coach, Courtney Shealy Hart, will coach Dirkzwager. She is a Two-Time Olympic Gold medalist and will be returning to the stage in a different role since 2000.
Coach Hart previously spoke with 11Alive, and she mentioned how grateful she was to coach her team.
"Seeing these athletes work so hard because they are so dedicated and they work so hard and to fulfill their dreams that help be a small part of that is just something that I'll carry forever," Coach Hart said.
You can catch them competing at the 2024 Olympics on NBC starting on July 27. Qualifying heats begin at 5 a.m., and finals begin at 2:30 p.m.