Bromell, Griner and Peers Represent Baylor at 2016 Olympic Games In Rio

Baylor has a long history of Olympic excellence. This year, three Bears-- current Baylor student Trayvon Bromell, former women's basketball great Brittney Griner and former men's tennis star John Peers--participated in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, extending a string of Baylor athletes and alums qualifying for seven straight summer Olympics, dating back to the 1992 games in Barcelona.

Trayvon Bromell, a Baylor senior who etched his name throughout the Baylor record books with an NCAA championship, three All-American recognitions and three Big 12 individual titles, qualified for his first Olympic appearance this year. He finished eighth in the 100-meter final and finished just .25 seconds behind gold medalist Usain Bolt of Jamaica, despite battling an Achilles injury. He also anchored Team USA in the 4x100-meter relay. Team USA finished third in the event, but was disqualified for a handoff infraction, meaning Bromell will try for his first medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Brittney Griner brought home the 12th gold medal in Baylor history as one of the top performers on a Team USA women's basketball squad that dominated all opponents en route to the gold. The Lady Bear legend averaged just under 10 points per game and tied for the team lead with 5.6 rebounds per game. Griner's seven rebounds in the gold medal game aided the American women to their sixth straight Olympic gold in a 101-72 win over Spain.

John Peers reached the NCAA doubles semifinals in his senior season with the Baylor men's tennis team in 2011. Earlier this year, he participated in the 2016 Davis Cup, "the World Cup of tennis" before qualifying for his first Olympics. Representing his native Australia, Peers participated in the mixed doubles event, falling to Argentina and India in the event's first rounds. Peers, recognized as a top doubles player in Australia, will continue his professional career, which includes seven doubles titles in four pro seasons.