Coventry leads AU Olympians

Swimmer Kirsty Coventry carried the flag for her native Zimbabwe in Saturday night's opening ceremonies for the London Olympic Games.

Kirsty Coventry won gold in 2004 and 2008

But she represented more than just her country. He represented Auburn University, too.

Coventry, who finished an All-American Auburn career in 2005, already has seven Olympic medals, including two golds. She is one of 27 current or former Auburn athletes and four coaches representing 13 nations who will compete in the London Games.

Auburn will claim more athletes in the Games than 126 of the 205 countries represented.

Auburn track coach Ralph Spry and swim coach Brett Hawke, who will be the hed coach for the Bamahas, said there is much of which Auburn should be proud.

"The SEC almost always has a strong contingent that earn a trip to the Olympic games," Spry said. "To know that, within the SEC, that Auburn is among the leaders is a great accomplishment.

"Auburn has always been in the upper echelon nationally in both track and field and swimming and diving. The programs' continuing output of having both current and former athletes compete at the highest possible level shows that at Auburn we have the resources and the facilities to help a student-athlete get to the Olympic Games by creating environments that are conducive to the success of world-class individuals."

Said Hawke: "Once again, Auburn is going to have an outstanding number of current and former Tigers representing us at the London Olympics. It speaks very highly of the tradition and competitiveness of the Auburn program that so many athletes at the Olympic Games have worn the `AU' during their careers."

For information on all Auburn's Olympians and when they are schedule to compete, follow the link below.

AUBURN OLYMPIANS