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Michigan to Paris: Meet the Triple Jumper and Gymnast Defying All Odds at the 2024 Olympics

(L) Donald Scott competes in the men’s triple jump final during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic
Team Trials on Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Eugene, Oregon. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (R)
Frederick Richard competing at the University of Michigan (mgoblue.com)

Donald Scott, a standout in athletics, has firmly established himself as a leading force in the
triple jump. Known for his remarkable performances and dedication to the sport, Scott’s journey
now takes him to the grand stage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he aims to leap further into
the annals of sporting history.

Born and raised in the sunny state of Florida, Scott’s passion for track and field was ignited at a
young age. His journey led him to Eastern Michigan University, where he devoted himself to
mastering the triple jump, ultimately earning prestigious All-American honors for his outstanding
performance. Renowned for his unwavering commitment to his craft, Scott has continuously
pushed himself to refine his training techniques, constantly striving for improvement and
excellence in his athletic pursuits.

Scott EMU Career Accolades
● All-America First Team (x3)
● All-MAC First Team (x5)
● Holds both EMU indoor and outdoor triple jump records
● Holds both the indoor and outdoor MAC Championships triple jump records
● Competed at three NCAA Championships

Scott’s journey to the Paris Olympics has been marked by rigorous training and strategic
competition. His preparation has involved fine-tuning his technique, enhancing his strength, and
optimizing his overall performance. This preparation has paid off, with Scott consistently
delivering impressive results in the lead-up to the Olympics.

During his time at Eastern from 2010 to 2015, Scott established himself as an all-around athlete
who also played football, garnering widespread recognition. His exceptional performance led to
him being named to the All-America team three times as an Eagle, a testament to his
remarkable skill and dedication to the sport. Scott’s achievements also included five
appearances on the All-MAC First Team.

His impact on the MAC conference record books is still present today, as he holds both the
indoor and outdoor conference meet records in the triple jump. Notably, his indoor record, which
he set in 2015, stands at 16.38m (53-09.00), while his outdoor record reached 16.29m (53-03.50). Scott’s enduring legacy in the MAC record books reflects the extraordinary talent and
athleticism that defined his time as a competitor.

Now a two-time Olympian, Scott repeatedly set new records for the triple jump while proudly
wearing the Block E. His outstanding performance led to breaking the program’s triple jump
record five times. Notably, his achievements included setting records for both indoor
(16.84m—55-03.00) and outdoor (16.83m—55-02.75) events, with these program records still
standing strong today.

Scott is scheduled to compete for Team USA in the men’s triple jump
qualification round on Wednesday, August 7, at 1:15 p.m. E.T. Catch all the Paris Olympic events on NBC.

Fredrick Richard: A Rising Star in Gymnastics from the University of Michigan

Fredrick Richard’s journey in gymnastics began at the University of Michigan, where he quickly
established himself as a performer. His remarkable abilities on the floor exercise and pommel
horse have earned him accolades, including All-American honors and significant achievements
at the NCAA and Big Ten Championships. Richard’s routines are celebrated for their precision,
creativity, and technical difficulty, making him a key asset to the Wolverines gymnastics team.

As he prepared for the Olympics, Richard carried the hopes and encouragement of his
university, family, and gymnastics fans worldwide. His objective was to compete at a top level and
motivate others through his performance, and he did that. Richard aimed to display the beauty and athleticism of gymnastics, aiming for a place on the podium and contributing to the success of the United States in the sport.

This week, Richard competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics and performed exceptionally well,
winning the Bronze medal. Despite this impressive achievement at age 20, he is already setting
his sights on the 2028 LA Summer Olympics. As the reigning world bronze medalist, Richard
was understandably disappointed to finish in the middle of the pack instead of standing on the
podium on Wednesday night. In the all-around final, his last event at the 2024 Paris Olympics,
Richard placed 15th out of 24 competitors, just one spot behind his college teammate, Paul
Juda.

Beyond his athletic achievements, Richard also makes a difference through community
engagement. He has been involved in local youth programs, sharing his love for gymnastics and
encouraging young athletes to pursue their dreams. His efforts to promote fitness and wellness
reflect his commitment to positively impacting both inside and outside the gym.

Richards U of M Career Accolades
● Three-time NCAA All-American (2024)
● Big Ten Gymnast of the Championships (2024)
● Big Ten All-Around Champion (2024) First Team All-Big Ten (2024)
● Big Ten Gymnast of the Year (2024)
● Academic All-Big Ten (2024)
● CGA Gymnast of the Week (March 20, 2024)
● Big Ten Gymnast of the Week (March 18, 2024)
● CGA Gymnast of the Week (March 5, 2024)
● CGA Gymnast of the Week (February 21, 2024)
● CGA Gymnast of the Week (February 6, 2024)
● CGA Specialist of the Week (February 6, 2024)
● Big Ten Specialist of the Week (February 5, 2024)
● Big Ten Specialist of the Week (January 22, 2024)
● NCAA Champion, high bar, parallel bars, all-around (2023)
● NCAA runner-up, floor exercise (2023)
● NCAA All-American, HB, PB, AA, FX, SR (2023)
● Big Ten All-Around, High Bar Champion (2023)
● Big Ten Gymnast of the Championships (2023)
● Big Ten Freshman of the Year (2023)
● First Team All-Big Ten (2023)
● Big Ten Gymnast of the Week (February 27, 2023)
● Big Ten Freshman of the Week (February 27, 2023)
● Big Ten Freshman of the Week (February 13, 2023)
● Big Ten Gymnast of the Week (January 30, 2023)
● Big Ten Freshman of the Week (January 23, 2023)
● Big Ten Gymnast to Watch (2023)

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