Northwestern at the Summer Games
In July of 2021, after a year’s postponement due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Summer Games took place in Tokyo, Japan. Six Northwestern alumni and one current student-athlete represented their countries in the Olympics and Paralympics this July and August, carrying on the impressive legacy of Northwestern athletes spanning more than one hundred years.
Olympics
Andrea Filler ’15, ’16 MA
Country: Italy
Event: Softball
Result: The Italian softball team came in sixth overall.
Leah Thomas ’11
Country: United States
Event: Cycling
Result: Leah came in 29th place in the road race.
Krystal Lara ’20
Country: Dominican Republic
Event: Swimming — Women’s 100-Meter Backstroke and Women’s 200-Meter Backstroke
Results
- Krystal did not qualify for the medal rounds.
Federico Burdisso ’23
Country: Italy
Event: Swimming — Men’s 100-Meter and 200-Meter Butterfly
Result
- 100-Meter: He did not qualify for the medal round.
- 200-Meter: Federico won the bronze medal in this event! Learn more.
- 4 x 100-Meter Medley Relay: Federico and his teammates won the bronze medal in this event! Learn more.
Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah ’19
Country: Nigeria
Event: Women’s Basketball
Result: The Nigerian women’s basketball team did not qualify for the quarterfinals.
Jordan Wilimovsky ’17
Country: United States
Event: Open Water Swimming — Men’s 10-Kilometer
Result: Jordan finished 10th in this event.
Paralympics
Hailey Danz ’13
Country: United States
Event: Triathlon PTS2
Result: Hailey won the silver medal in this event! Learn more.
And more!
In addition to these stellar athletes, you may have spotted a few other Wildcats in the coverage of the Summer Games. Trustee Christine Brennan ’80, ’81 MS and Alan Abrahamson ’80 (’16, ’21 P) were both in Tokyo covering the games. And Lisa Byington ’98, ’99 MS announced the play-by-play for men’s and women’s soccer.