Kansas State University Athletics
Omalla Wins Olympic Gold with The Netherlands
Aug 03, 2024 | Track & Field
Omalla's 4x400 Mixed Relay team captured Gold ahead of team USA
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State's Eugene Omalla earned an Olympic gold medal on Saturday (August 3) with The Netherlands 4x400 Mixed Relay team at Stade de France in Paris.
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In the Finals, Omalla ran the first leg of the relay, with teammates Lieke Klaver, Isaya Klein Ikkink and Femke Bol, to a time of 3:07.43, three-tenths of a second ahead of team USA with a silver medal time of 3:07.74.
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During Round 1 on Friday, August 2, Omalla also ran the first leg to lead The Netherlands, with Cathelijn Peeters in place of Bol, to 2nd place in the second heat with a time of 3:10.81.
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The Dutch's Final time of 3:07.43 is two-hundredths of a second short of tying the Olympic and World Record at 3:07.41 set on Friday by team USA with a 1st place finish in the first heat of Round 1.
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Omalla adds to the Wildcats Olympic trophy case, earning the 10th medal in school history and the 4th gold medal. Other K-State gold medalists include Erik Kynard (high jump, 2012), Kenny Harrison (triple jump, 1996) and Thane Baker (400 meter relay, 1956).
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2015 alumna Laura Galvan also competed at the Stade de France on Friday in the Round 1 of the 5,000 meters, finishing 11th in the second heat, 20th overall out of 40 runners, with a time of 15:05.20, a season best.
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How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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In the Finals, Omalla ran the first leg of the relay, with teammates Lieke Klaver, Isaya Klein Ikkink and Femke Bol, to a time of 3:07.43, three-tenths of a second ahead of team USA with a silver medal time of 3:07.74.
Â
During Round 1 on Friday, August 2, Omalla also ran the first leg to lead The Netherlands, with Cathelijn Peeters in place of Bol, to 2nd place in the second heat with a time of 3:10.81.
Â
The Dutch's Final time of 3:07.43 is two-hundredths of a second short of tying the Olympic and World Record at 3:07.41 set on Friday by team USA with a 1st place finish in the first heat of Round 1.
Â
Omalla adds to the Wildcats Olympic trophy case, earning the 10th medal in school history and the 4th gold medal. Other K-State gold medalists include Erik Kynard (high jump, 2012), Kenny Harrison (triple jump, 1996) and Thane Baker (400 meter relay, 1956).
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2015 alumna Laura Galvan also competed at the Stade de France on Friday in the Round 1 of the 5,000 meters, finishing 11th in the second heat, 20th overall out of 40 runners, with a time of 15:05.20, a season best.
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-- k-statesports.com --
 How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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