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As the Olympic flame ignites in Paris, a dozen athletes from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are setting the world stage ablaze with their talents. The 2024 Games, which kicked off on Friday, July 26, showcase these remarkable individuals across various disciplines.
From the track to the pool, our Latter-day Saint Olympians are pushing boundaries and inspiring millions. Seven track athletes lead the charge.
These dedicated competitors will be giving their all until the closing ceremony on Sunday, August 11. Let’s rally behind our Latter-day Saint Olympians as they strive for gold and represent their faith on the global stage.
Stay tuned for updates on their performances and stories of perseverance. We’ll be highlighting each athlete’s journey and event schedule, so you won’t miss a moment of the action. Go Team LDS!
Rugby Sevens: Stephanie Rovetti’s Bronze Medal Triumph
Stephanie Rovetti, a 32-year-old Latter-day Saint from Reno, Nevada, made her Olympic debut as a flyhalf and wing for USA’s women’s rugby team in Paris 2024. Her journey culminated in a historic bronze medal win, marking Team USA’s first-ever Olympic medal in women’s rugby sevens.
On July 30, in a nail-biting bronze medal match, the U.S. team twice came from behind to defeat Australia 14-12. This achievement represents a significant improvement from their previous Olympic performances, surpassing their fifth-place finish in Rio 2016 and sixth place in Tokyo 2020.
Rovetti’s path to Olympic glory is as inspiring as her performance. A former basketball player for Brigham Young University, she was part of the 2014 Sweet 16 team before switching to rugby. Her transition paid off when she contributed to the 2018 Club Sevens National Championships.
The road to the bronze wasn’t easy. Team USA faced a tough 24-12 loss to New Zealand in the semifinals but bounced back with resilience. Their Olympic journey also included a thrilling 17-7 quarterfinal victory over Britain on July 29.
Rovetti’s success resonated beyond the rugby field. She proudly shared her bronze medal moment through BYU Cougars’ social media, connecting her athletic achievement with her alma mater and faith community.
This Olympic medal not only celebrates Rovetti’s athletic prowess but also serves as an inspiration to young Latter-day Saint athletes, showcasing how faith and sport can harmoniously lead to remarkable achievements.
Rugby Sevens: LDS Athletes Shine on Olympic Stage
The 2024 Paris Olympics saw two Latter-day Saint athletes make their mark in Rugby Sevens. Make Unufe, 32, from Provo, Utah, represented Team USA, while Ponipate “Poni” Loganimasi, 26, from Savusavu, Fiji, competed for his home country.
Unufe, a seasoned wing player, contributed to Team USA’s 8th place finish. The team’s journey included a thrilling tie against France, a loss to Fiji, and a victory over Uruguay in pool matches. Despite a quarterfinal exit, Unufe’s experience from the 2016 Rio Games proved valuable.
Loganimasi, a returned missionary and first-time Olympian, helped Fiji secure a silver medal. Fiji’s impressive run included victories over Uruguay, the U.S., and France in pool play, followed by wins against Ireland and Australia in the knockout stages.
The gold medal match saw France triumph over Fiji 28-7, marking a shift from Fiji’s gold medal performances in the 2016 and 2020 Olympics.
Both Unufe and Loganimasi exemplify the spirit of Latter-day Saint athletes on the global stage, balancing athletic excellence with spiritual devotion. Their performances in Paris have undoubtedly inspired many within the LDS community and beyond.
Soccer Sensation: Taylor Booth’s Olympic Journey
Taylor Booth, a 23-year-old forward from Eden, Utah, made his mark in the 2024 Paris Olympics as part of Team USA’s soccer squad. The team’s remarkable run ended in the quarterfinals with a 4-0 loss to Morocco on August 2 at Parc des Princes, securing an impressive 8th place overall.
Booth’s Olympic debut was nothing short of historic. For the first time in 24 years, the U.S. men’s soccer team reached the quarterfinals, thanks to a decisive 3-0 victory over Guinea on July 30. Booth contributed to this milestone win and also saw action in earlier matches against France and New Zealand.
A rising star in European soccer, Booth currently plays as a midfielder for FC Utrecht in the Netherlands. His participation in these Olympics marks a significant milestone, as it’s the first time since 2008 that a USA men’s team has qualified for the Games.
Off the field, Booth joined fellow Latter-day Saint Olympians in a devotional on July 28, sharing messages of faith and inspiration. His journey exemplifies the blend of athletic excellence and spiritual strength that defines many LDS athletes on the world stage.
As the soccer tournament concludes with upcoming medal matches, Booth’s Olympic experience serves as an inspiration to young athletes and a proud moment for the LDS community.
3×3 Basketball: Jimmer Fredette’s Olympic Debut
Jimmer Fredette, the 35-year-old former BYU basketball star, made his Olympic debut as part of USA’s pioneering four-person 3×3 basketball team in Paris 2024. This marked the first time the U.S. sent a men’s 3×3 team to the Olympics, adding an exciting new dimension to basketball’s Olympic presence.
The team’s journey was challenging, finishing seventh out of eight teams with two wins and five losses. Their Olympic campaign began with losses to Serbia and Poland, where Fredette contributed 3 points before a leg injury sidelined him. The team faced further setbacks against Lithuania and Latvia but rallied with victories over France and China.
Despite the team’s efforts, their final pool game loss to the Netherlands (21-6) ended their medal hopes. Fredette, named USA Basketball’s 2023 3×3 Male Athlete of the Year, watched this last game from the sidelines, embodying the team spirit even in adversity.
The fast-paced nature of 3×3 basketball, played on a half-court with a 10-minute game clock and a 21-point victory condition, showcased a different side of Fredette’s talents. His professional experience, including several years in China, brought valuable expertise to the team.
Off the court, Fredette continues to make an impact. He and his wife Whitney recently presented at the RootsTech 2024 family history conference, discussing memory preservation on FamilySearch. This blend of athletic prowess and community engagement exemplifies the multifaceted nature of Latter-day Saint athletes.
While Team USA didn’t advance to the medal rounds, Fredette’s Olympic journey represents a significant milestone in his career and for 3×3 basketball in the U.S. Olympic program.
Pistol Shooting: Alexis Lagan’s Olympic Journey
Alexis “Lexi” Lagan, a 31-year-old Latter-day Saint from Boulder City, Nevada, represented Team USA in women’s air pistol at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Competing in the 10-meter air pistol qualification event, Lagan finished 25th overall, narrowly missing the eight-person final.
Despite not advancing, Lagan maintained a positive outlook. “I feel good about my competition. I’m disappointed about not making the final, of course… I’m proud of today,” she shared on social media. Her resilience and gratitude for her support system shone through her words.
Lagan’s journey to Olympic shooting began at the University of Utah. After graduation, she committed fully to her sport, relocating to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Her dedication has yielded impressive results, including silver and bronze medals at the 2023 Pan American Games and a silver at the 2023 USA Shooting National Championship.
This wasn’t Lagan’s first Olympic experience. At the Tokyo Games, she competed in three different events, showcasing her versatility and skill. Her continued improvement and positive attitude exemplify the spirit of Latter-day Saint athletes on the world stage.
Lagan’s performance in Paris, while not resulting in a medal, demonstrates her growth as an athlete and her commitment to her sport. Her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring shooters and highlights the diverse talents within the LDS community.
Kenneth Rooks’ Silver Medal Triumph in Olympic Steeplechase
Kenneth Rooks, a 24-year-old Latter-day Saint athlete, clinched the silver medal in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday, August 7. In a thrilling finale, Rooks surged ahead in the last lap, securing his podium finish with a personal best time of 8 minutes, 6.41 seconds—a mere six hundredths of a second ahead of the bronze medalist.
The former BYU NCAA champion’s journey to Olympic glory began with a strong showing in the preliminary heat on Monday, August 5. Rooks navigated the demanding 7.5-lap course, conquering multiple barriers and water jumps to advance to the final.
Rooks’ path to the Olympics is as inspiring as his performance. A returned missionary who served in Uganda and Orem, Utah, the Washington State native won the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. His resilience was evident in his dramatic comeback victory at the 2023 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, where he recovered from a fall to win the race.
The image captured at the Stade de France shows Rooks’ emotional reaction to his silver medal finish, embodying the culmination of years of dedication and faith. His achievement not only marks a personal triumph but also serves as an inspiration to the LDS community and aspiring athletes worldwide.
Athletics (Track and Field): Whittni Morgan’s Olympic Journey
Whittni Morgan, a 26-year-old member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, demonstrated remarkable resilience in her Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games. Competing in the 5,000-meter final on Monday, August 5, Morgan finished 14th out of 16 runners, clocking a personal best time of 14 minutes, 53.57 seconds—an impressive improvement of nearly 10 seconds from her qualifying time.
Morgan’s path to the Olympics was far from easy. The Panguitch, Utah native and former BYU runner underwent knee surgery in November 2023, resuming her training only in April 2024. Despite this setback, she secured fifth place at the Olympic trials in June. Fortune smiled on Morgan when two other qualifiers withdrew from the 5,000-meter event, opening a spot for her on Team USA.
Her journey from post-surgery recovery to Olympic competition in just a few months is a testament to her determination and faith. Morgan’s performance in Paris not only marks a personal milestone but also serves as an inspiration to fellow athletes and members of the LDS community.
The image captured during the Women’s 5000 Metres heats at the Stade de France on August 2, 2024, shows Morgan in action, embodying the Olympic spirit and representing both her nation and her faith on the global stage. Her story is a powerful reminder of the strength found in perseverance and the ability to overcome adversity in pursuit of one’s dreams.
Courtney Wayment’s Olympic Steeplechase Debut
Courtney Wayment, a 25-year-old Latter-day Saint athlete, showcased her talent in the 3,000-meter steeplechase final at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday, August 6. The former BYU runner secured a respectable 12th place finish, completing the challenging 7.5-lap race in 9 minutes, 13.60 seconds.
Wayment’s journey to the Olympics was marked by perseverance. After narrowly missing qualification for the Tokyo Games in 2021, finishing fourth in the trials, she bounced back impressively. Her second-place finish in this year’s highly competitive U.S. trials earned her a coveted spot on Team USA.
The Kaysville, Utah native and Brigham Young University collegiate champion tackled the demanding steeplechase course, which features multiple barriers and a water obstacle on each lap. Her performance in Paris represents the culmination of years of dedication and hard work.
The image captured during the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase Round 1 at the Stade de France on August 04, 2024, shows Wayment in action, demonstrating the grit and determination that brought her to the world’s biggest sporting stage. Her Olympic debut not only highlights her athletic prowess but also serves as an inspiration to young athletes within the LDS community and beyond.
Australia’s Nagmeldin “Peter” Bol’s Olympic 800m Journey
Nagmeldin “Peter” Bol, the 30-year-old Australian runner, competed in the men’s 800 meters preliminary qualifying heats at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday, August 7. Running on the distinctive purple track, Bol was placed in the fourth of six heats among 53 competitors.
Despite a strategic surge in the second lap, Bol finished seventh in his nine-runner heat, clocking 1 minute, 47.50 seconds. His performance, while not securing automatic qualification, allows him the opportunity to compete in the repechage round for a chance at the semifinals.
This marks Bol’s third Olympic appearance, following his performances in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. His fourth-place finish in Tokyo, where he set an Australian record, remains a highlight of his career. Bol’s journey from South Sudan to Australia as a child adds a compelling layer to his Olympic story.
Looking ahead, the men’s 800 meters competition continues with the repechage round on Thursday, August 8, followed by semifinals on Friday, August 9, and finals on Saturday, August 10.
LDS Marathoners Mantz and Young Set for Olympic Debut
In related news, Latter-day Saint athletes Conner Mantz (27) and Clayton Young (30), both former BYU runners and returned missionaries, will represent the USA in the Olympic marathon on Saturday, August 10. Their qualification as the top two finishers in the USA trials highlights the strong presence of LDS athletes in distance running events at these Games. Mantz, a two-time NCAA cross-country champion from Smithfield, Utah, served in the Ghana Accra West Mission, while Young, from American Fork, Utah, served a Spanish-speaking mission in North Carolina. Their Olympic debut in the marathon event is eagerly anticipated by fans and the LDS community alike.
