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