Three Track and Field Paris Olympic Competitors with UNCF Connections to Watch

Statue of the Olympic rings in Paris

The Paris 2024 Olympics will start at the end of this month, and UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is proud to have several connections to the outstanding athletes competing. Among them are three standout track and field stars to watch: Anna Cockrell, Monae’ Nichols, and Sade McCreath.

Photo of Anna Cockrell with a medal

Anna Cockrell

Anna Cockrell, a talented hurdler and sprinter, exemplifies the dedication and resilience that UNCF champions. Her journey from collegiate competitions to the world stage at the Olympics is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of educational support systems. Cockrell is UNCF board member Kieth Cockrell’s daughter, and is competing in track at the Games. After being disqualified at the 2021 Tokyo finals, Cockrell will be returning for another Olympic Games. She earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team after finishing second and earning silver in the 400-meter hurdles at the Olympic trials, with a time of 52.64 seconds, according to an article in The Charlotte Post.

And, two track and field standouts from Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, FL, one of UNCF’s member HBCUs, are also heading to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics—Nichols, representing the U.S., and McCreath, representing Canada.

photo of Monae' Nichols hurdling

Monae’ Nichols

Nichols qualified for the Paris Summer Olympics at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, OR, where she performed a 6.86 meters leap in the long jump, a season best. At Bethune-Cookman, Nichols competed in HBCU track from 2018-2021, including the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Nationals in the long jump and the 2019 NCAA East Preliminaries in the 4×100. She took home top honors in the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in the long jump during the outdoor season, according to an article in Centre Daily.

photo of Sade McCreath running on the track

Sade McCreath

McCreath earned a spot on Canada’s 4×100 Women’s Relay team. Since 1984, Canada has not medaled in the 4×100 event on the women’s side in the Summer Olympics, according to Centre Daily. At Bethune-Cookman, McCreath was a member of the NCAA East Preliminary 4×100 relay team. She also competed individually in the 2019 NCAA East Preliminary 100-meter relay and the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

The 2024 Paris Olympics begin on July 26 and run through Aug. 11.