LEXINGTON, Ky. — A former Kentucky Wildcat will be front and center at the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Olympics.


What You Need To Know

  • Former Kentucky hurdler, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn will lead Puerto Rico at the 2024 Olympics    

  • She and wrestler Sebastián Rivera will carry their country's flag during the Opening Ceremony

  • Camacho-Quinn is credited with winning Puerto Rico its first gold medal

  • The 100-meter hurdles will take place Aug. 7

Track and Field hurdler, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn attended UK from 2015 to 2018. She will carry the flag for Puerto Rico on July 26.

Camacho-Quinn and wrestler Sebastián Rivera will represent the island to kick off the Olympics.

Of the honor, Camacho-Quinn said, “Honestly, I am excited,” she said. “It’s something big. I didn’t see it coming, and it means a lot to be the one to carry the flag. I am grateful, as is my family, who are super proud. I can’t wait for it to happen.”

Gold medalist, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Team Puerto Rico holds up her medal on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women’s 100 meters hurdles on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Camacho-Quinn attended UK from 2015-2018. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

In 2021, Camacho-Quinn won Puerto Rico its first Olympic gold medal in the 100-meter hurdles. According to a release from the University of Kentucky, the athlete told Puerto Rican newspaper Primera Hora she’s excited about carrying the “Monoestrellada.”

After her 2021 gold medal success, Camacho-Quinn won bronze and silver medals at the 2022 and 2023 World Athletics Championships and a gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador.

Paris will be the third Olympics for Camacho-Quinn and she hopes to defend her 100-meter hurdles gold.

“I am focused on defending my championship and bringing back another gold medal,” she said.

 The women’s 100-meter hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympics Games begin Aug. 7 with the final taking place on Aug. 10.

Camacho-Quinn's mother, Milagros Camacho, is from Puerto Rico and his how her daughter can represent that country.

-

Facebook Twitter