Caeleb Dressel - Olympics 4x100 medley relay 210801
Al Bello/Getty Images
Gator Great Caeleb Dressel led all competitors at the 2020 Games with five gold medals.

Gators Shine in 2020 Olympics

Gators combined to win 17 total Olympic medals, equaling the second-highest total for Florida in a single Olympics (21 in Los Angeles/1984; also 17 in London/2012).

 

Gators won the 17 medals in five different sports: baseball, soccer, swimming, softball, track & field (20 of the 21 medals won in 1984 were in the sport of swimming – the other in track & field)

Florida’s 17 medals (including U.S. and international student-athletes) stood No. 3 among all NCAA programs – No. 1 Stanford (26), No. 2 Southern Cal (21), No. 3 Florida (17), No. 4 UCLA (16), No. 5 California (13). Florida shared second with UCLA with 15 medals by TeamUSA athletes.

If the Gator Nation was a recognized country at the 2020 Olympic Games, it would have tied for 17th place in the total medal count, winning 17 medals (9 gold, 5 silver, 3 bronze). Nine golds stands No. 11 among the 93 nations that collected a 2020 Olympic medal.

The 32 Gators competing were the third-most in a single Olympic Games (36 competed in Beijing/2008 and 35 in London/2012)

Florida was No. 5 among NCAA programs with 32 representatives and led the Southeastern Conference. 2020 Gator Olympians

Florida 2020 Olympic Medals

Gators combined to win 17 total Olympic medals, equaling the second-highest total for Florida in a single Olympics (21 in Los Angeles/1984; also 17 in London/2012 )

Gators won the 17 medals in five different sports: baseball, soccer, swimming, softball, track & field (20 of the 21 medals won in 1984 were in the sport of swimming – the other in track & field)

Florida’s 17 medals (including U.S. and international student-athletes) stood No. 3 among all NCAA programs – No. 1 Stanford (26), No. 2 Southern Cal (21), No. 3 Florida (17), No. 4 UCLA (16), No. 5 California (13). Florida shared second with UCLA with 15 medals by TeamUSA athletes.

If the Gator Nation was a recognized country at the 2020 Olympic Games, it would have tied for 17th place in the total medal count, winning 17 medals (9 gold, 5 silver, 3 bronze).

The 32 Gators competing were the third-most in a single Olympic Games (36 competed in Beijing/2008 and 35 in London/2012)

Florida was No. 5 among NCAA programs with 32 representatives and led the Southeastern Conference.

Gators Olympic History

Medals by NCAA Programs

USA & International Athletes

School

G

S

B

T

# of Athletes

Stanford10792651
Southern Cal11552161
Florida9531732
UCLA7721642
California4451346

Gator Medalists

The 17 medals claimed in the 2020 Olympics were earned by 12 Gators.

Swimming

TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 31: Gold medalist Caeleb Dressel of Team United States poses with the gold medal for the Men's 100m Butterfly Final at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 26: Caeleb Dressel, Blake Pieroni, Bowen Becker and Zach Apple of Team United States pose with their gold medals for the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 29: Caeleb Dressel of Team United States reacts after winning the gold medal in the Men's 100m Freestyle Final on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 29, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 01: (L-R) Gold medalists Ryan Murphy, Michael Andrew, Caeleb Dressel and Zach Apple of Team United States pose on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final on day nine of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on August 01, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Caeleb Dressel Swimming - Olympics: Day 6
  • Caeleb Dressel’s five Olympic gold medals led all competitors at the 2020 Games (50 free, 100 free, 100 fly, 4x100 free relay, 4x100 medley relay). He was second in overall medals won, behind Australia swimmer Emma McKeon’s seven medals (four gold, three bronze) for total medals.
  • Caeleb Dressel is the fifth U.S. athlete to win at least five golds in a single Games – speedskater Eric Heiden (1980); swimmers Mark Spitz (1972), Matt Biondi and Michael Phelps (2004, 2008, 2016).
  • Caeleb Dressel is third U.S. male to win at least three individual golds in a single Olympics, joining Mark Spitz (1972) and Michael Phelps (2008).
  • Fifth U.S. male to win at least five golds in a single Olympics, joining swimmers Mark Spitz (1972), Matt Biondi (1988), Michael Phelps (2004, 2008, 2016) and speed skater Eric Heiden (1980).
  • Two world records set in 2020 Olympics included Caeleb Dressel – 100 fly (49.45) and 4x100 medley relay (3:26.78). His 100 fly split of 49.03 in the 4x100 medley relay also is a world record. Olympic records by Dressel include 50 free (21.07) and 100 free (47.02)
  • Caeleb Dressel’s five 2020 medals is the most gold medals won by a Gator in a single Olympics. Three Gators have won five medals in a single Olympics
    • Caeleb Dressel   5 golds                                   2020 Tokyo
    • Ryan Lochte        2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze    2012 London
    • Dara Torres         2 golds, 3 bronze                 2000 Sydney
  • The most individual event golds won by a Gator in a single Olympics is three
    • Caeleb Dressel: 2020 – 50 free, 100 free, 100 fly
  • Two Gators won two golds in a single day
    • Tracy Caulkins: Aug. 3, 1984 – 200 IM (8 p.m.), 4x100 medley relay (8:50 p.m.)
    • Caeleb Dressel: Aug. 1, 2021 – 50 free (9:30 p.m.), 4x100 medley relay (10:36 p.m.)

 

Caeleb Dressel's Picture-Perfect Tokyo Olympics - Pat Forde/Sports Illustrated 8-1-21

Among all 2020 Olympic medalists, there are 26 with remaining NCAA eligibility. Two of those are Gators – Bobby Finke (800 and 1500-meter free - golds) and Kieran Smith (400m free – bronze).

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 01: Gold medalist Robert Finke of Team United States poses in the podium of Men's 1500m Freestyle on day nine of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on August 01, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Bobby Finke - 800 and 1,500-meter freestyle - gold. (Photo: Al Bello - Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 25: Kieran Smith of Team United States poses with the bronze medal for the Men's 400m Freestyle Final on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Kieran Smith - 400-meter freestyle - bronze (Photo: Clive Rose - Getty Images)
“I came in not really expecting to get a medal or anything — and I come out of it with two golds.”
Bobby Finke following winning his second gold of 2020 Olympics (1.500-meter freestyle)

Bobby Finke’s win in the 1,500m free was the first for the U.S. since 1984.

Bobby Finke was fourth after the final turn of the 800 meter before surging to win the gold in 7:41.87. He entered the Olympics with the 12th-best 800 free qualifying time (7:47.58). 2020 marked the first time the 800-meter free was contested at the Olympics since a similar distance (880-yards) was raced at the 1904 St. Louis Games.

Bobby Finke’s winning time of 14:39.65 in the 1,500 meters was 9.05 second faster than his top time in the distance this year.

The first 2020 Olympic medals by Gators were a pair of swimming bronze medals for Team USA: Kieran Smith (400m free) and Natalie Hinds (4x100m free relay)

TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 25: (L-R) Erika Brown, Abbey Weitzeil, Natalie Hinds and Simone Manuel of Team United States pose with the bronze medal for the Women's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Natalie Hinds (second from right) celebrates the U.S.'s 4x100-meter freestyle relay bronze. (Photo: Clive Rose - Getty Images)

Soccer

2020 Olympic Gold medal Canada soccer team
Gators Deanne Rose (front row, far left) and Adriana Leon (front row, far right) celebrate Canada's first Olympic soccer gold. (photo: Naomi Baker - Getty Images)

Canada entered the 2020 Olympics ranked No. 8 in the FIFA Women’s Team rankings and ended with the country’s first gold in the sport. 

After playing to a 1-all double overtime tie with Sweden, the Olympic gold was decided for the first time by penalty kicks. Gator Deanne Rose hit her penalty kick in the fifth position as Canada claimed the gold on its next kick to take a 3-2 PK edge. Gator Adriana Leon also played in the gold medal final, entering the match at halftime. 

Softball

United States Softball silver medalists - Olympics: Day 4
There is a Gator Olympic silver medalist in each row of this picture. Michelle Moultrie (front, far right), Kelsey Stewart (second row, second from right) and Aubree Munroe (back row, second from right). Photo: Yuichi Masuda - Getty Images

The Gators won their first-ever Olympic medals in the sport of softball (Michelle Moultrie, Aubree Munroe, Kelsey Stewart, Silver, July 27)

Track & Field

Grant Holloway won silver in the 110-meter hurdles

Gators won their first-ever Olympic medal in a mixed event (Taylor Manson, USA 4x400 mixed relay, Bronze on July 31 (ran qualifying only on July 30) 

Baseball

USA Baseball Silver Medal
Gator Mark Kolozsvary and rest of Team USA celebrate their 2020 Olympic silver medal. Photo: Yuichi Masuda - Getty Images

USA Baseball provided the Gators with their final medal of the 2020 Games, winning silver. 

Gator Mark Kolozsvary started every game as catcher for Team USA. 

Mark Kolozsvary (Olympics)
Mark Kolozsvary won Florida's final medal of the 2020 Olympics as Team USA took silver. (Photo: Koj Watanabe - Getty Images),

Other Gator Olympic Notes

Three Gators served as flag bearers for 2020 Olympic Opening or Closing Ceremonies:

  • Joseph Fahnbulleh (Liberia - opening)
  • Brett Fraser (Cayman Islands - opening)
  • Eddie Lovett (U.S. Virgin Islands - closing)
Brett Fraser - 2020 Olympic Opening Ceremonies Flag Bearer (Cayman Islands) 210723
Brett Fraser (left) and Jillian Crooks were the Cayman Islands' flag bearers for the 2020 Olympics Opening Ceremonies. (Photo: Clive Brunskill - Getty Images)

Two Gators were selected USA Team Captains: Caeleb Dressel (men’s swimming) and Will Claye (men’s track & field

The U.S. coaching staff has three with Gator ties:
                Current Gator Head Coaches:
                Michael Holloway: U.S. Men's Track & Field Head Coach
                Anthony Nesty: U.S. Men's Swimming Assistant Coach
 
                Past Gator Head Coach:
                Gregg Troy: U.S. Men's Swimming Assistant Coach

2020 Gator Olympic Medalists

NameSportEventMedal
Caeleb DresselSwimmingU.S. 50 freeGold
Caeleb DresselSwimmingU.S. 100 freeGold
Caeleb DresselSwimmingU.S. 100 flyGold
Caeleb DresselSwimmingU.S. 4x100 free relayGold
Caeleb DresselSwimmingU.S. 4x100 MRGold
Bobby FinkeSwimmingU.S. 1500 freeGold
Bobby FinkeSwimmingU.S. 800 freeGold
Natalie HindsSwimmingU.S. 4x100 relayBronze
Grant HollowayTrack & FieldU.S. 110m hurdlesSilver
Mark KolozsvaryBaseballU.S. Silver
Adriana LeonSoccerCanadaGold
Taylor MansonTrack & FieldU.S. Mixed 4x400 relayBronze
Michelle MoultrieSoftballU.S.Silver
Aubree MunroeSoftballU.S.Silver
Deanne RoseSoccerCanadaGold
Kieran SmithSwimmingU.S. 400 freeBronze
Kelsey StewartSoftballU.S.Silver
    

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