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From winning medals on the Olympic stage to pursuing Master's degrees, a list of five of the most educated Olympic athletes who were in action at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Some of the athletes who were impressive at the Paris Olympics not only have achievements in sports but have also done well for themselves academically.
From gold medals to Master’s degrees, these top athletes know the tough balancing act between the two and put in the much-needed effort to ensure they impress on all fronts.
The Paris Olympics witnessed stunning showdowns, but who are these athletes with the ability to win medals on the Olympic stage and pursue degrees at the same time?
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Malaika Mihambo
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The long jump maestro needs no introduction when it comes to the field event since she has earned enough not only from the Olympic Games to the World Championships. However, she still chases more glory on the global stage.
Mihambo is the Olympic Games silver medallist, a title she won at the just concluded Paris Olympic Games. She also won the long jump title at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
The German star did her undergraduate studies in political science at the University of Mannheim. Following her outstanding performance in the long jump, she earned herself the German Sports Aid Foundation’s “Sports Scholarship Holder of the Year” in 2014.
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10:00 - 13.08.2024
Fans marvel at Olympic Long Jump gold medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall of USA and her double amputee husband, Hunter
Tara Davis-Woodhall won gold at the long jump games at the Paris Olympics
She did not stop there. Mihambo is currently pursuing a Master’s Programme in environmental sciences at the University of Hagen.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
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The Jamaican sprint queen might have disappointed her fans after failing to show up for the women’s 100m semifinal. The Paris Olympic Games would be her final but she ended it on quite a low note, following the withdrawal from the women’s race.
She still has many accolades in the women’s sprinting scene, having won three gold medals, four silver and a bronze medal.
Education-wise, Fraser-Pryce has a degree BS in Child and Adolescent Development from the University of Technology where she graduated in November 2012, when she defended her 100m title at the 2012 London Olympics.
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17:20 - 08.08.2024
Kishane Thompson reveals why he has not bothered rewatching epic 100 final race he narrowly lost to Noah Lyles
Kishane Thompson has revealed why he has not found it necessary to rewatch his 100m final performance at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics alot, further revealing next targets following the tournament.
In 2016, she intended to pursue a Master of Science in Applied Psychology at the University of the West Indies (UWI), but it was never confirmed. Thanks to her unwavering contributions to the development of society, Fraser-Pryce was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from UWI and the University of Technology.
Gabby Thomas
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Thomas is undoubtedly the new face of track and field following her impressive performance at the Paris Olympic Games.
The American exited the Olympic stage with three gold medals. She was off to a great start in her Olympic campaign, claiming the gold medal in the women’s 200m final before helping Team USA win the 4x100m and 4x400m gold medals.
However, that’s not the only thing that stands out in the 27-year-old’s life. She was admitted to the prestigious Harvard University to study neurobiology with a minor in global health and health policy and a citation in French.
In May 2023, Thomas finished her master's degree in epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, at their Austin regional campus.
Hugues Fabrice Zango
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Burkina Faso’s ace Hugues Fabrice Zango has placed the country on the global stage with his dominant exploits on and off the track. He is the world indoor record holder in the triple jump and the reigning world champion. He also made history for Burkina Faso, winning the first-ever Olympic medal at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games where he claimed the bronze.
He also means business when it comes to academics. Zango earned a master’s degree in Electronics, Electrical Energy, and Automation from the University of Artois in 2018 and then followed it up with a PhD in Electrical Engineering at the same university.
Aitana Bonmati
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The Spaniard is undoubtedly one of the best football players in the world. Her team fell short at the Paris Olympics but her outstanding performances will be remembered forever.
Bonmati has already been awarded the Ballon d’Or, named The Best FIFA Women’s Player Award for the 2022–23 season, and helped Spain win the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She was named the best player at the tournament and became the first female footballer to win the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year.
Bonmati has a bachelor’s degree in physical activity and sports science from Ramon Llull University. She never stopped at that as she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in sports management at the Johan Cruyff Institute.
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