THE MEET
 
South Dakota alumnus Chris Nilsen '20 takes to the world's largest stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics held July 26 through Aug. 11. Nilsen will represent Team USA in the pole vault competition, competing in qualification Saturday morning at the Stadium of France in Paris. The top 12 men from the qualifying round will advance to the finals Monday evening.
 
THE COYOTES
 
Nilsen, a 2020 graduate of the University of South Dakota, earned his ticket to Paris by tying for second place with Jacob Wooten at the U.S. Olympic Trials earlier this summer. This is Nilsen's second Olympics Games, claiming silver in his first Olympics in Tokyo three years ago.
 
He is a four-time medalist on the world stage, adding a bronze from the 2022 World Indoor Championships, a silver from the 2022 World Championships and a bronze from the 2023 World Championships to his silver from the 2020 Olympics.
 
Nilsen is a native of Kansas City, Missouri and was a three-time NCAA Champion for the Coyotes. He was a seven-time All-American, finishing third or better in each NCAA Championship held during his collegiate career. He also owns South Dakota's indoor and outdoor pole vault records.
 
THE SCHEDULE
 
Saturday, Aug. 3
3:10 a.m. (CDT) – Men's Pole Vault Qualifying
 
Monday, Aug. 5
Noon (CDT) – Men's Pole Vault Final
 
 THE BROADCAST
 
NBC owns the broadcast rights for the 2024 Paris Olympics and will provide coverage of the Olympic Games across its network family. NBC will have dedicated streams for both pole vault competitions that are available on Peacock. Select track and field coverage Saturday morning will be shown on E! Network and NBC. Select track and field coverage Monday will be shown on NBC.
 
ONE LAST THING
 
Nilsen is USD's fourth-ever Olympian on record, and third to appear in multiple Olympic Games. His coach, Derek Miles, qualified for three Olympics – 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing and 2012 London. Miles earned bronze at the 2008 Olympic Games. The other two-time Olympian is Greg Haydenluck in the bobsleigh (1988, 1992). Eugene Vidal was USD's first Olympian on record, competing in the decathlon in 1920.