Olympic Update: Armstrong Wins Gold, Clemons And Yoder Finish Their Games

Hunter Armstrong helped the U.S. men’s medley relay team to the Olympic finals — now he’s a gold medalist.

The United States’ 4x100m men’s medley relay team finished first in its race Saturday evening. The four swimmers combined for a 3:26.78 swim to set an Olympic and world record in the event.

“We could not be more proud of the United States and Hunter Armstrong,” Ohio State director of swimming and diving Bill Dorenkott said. “This is the stuff of dreams. And to think Hunter Armstrong from Dover, Ohio, is making his dreams come true on the world stage is pretty amazing.”

Armstrong helped the Americans earn a spot in the final, swimming in the team’s preliminary race. He swam backstroke, completing the race in 53.51 and helping his team to a seventh-place finish. He will receive a medal for his efforts as part of the relay team.

Armstrong is the first Ohio State male swimmer to make the United States Olympic team since four Buckeyes competed in the 1956 Summer Games in Melbourne, Australia.

“Tomorrow morning, there will be a young man waking up somewhere in Ohio dreaming of being the next Hunter Armstrong, and that is pretty special,” Dorenkott said. “The best part is that Hunter and Ohio State are just getting started. Look out, Paris, because the Buckeyes are coming in strong.”

Gymnastics

Former Ohio State gymnast Alec Yoder competed in the pommel horse finals Sunday, finishing sixth with a score of 14.566.

Yoder, a 2019 Ohio State graduate, earned a spot in the pommel horse finals at the Olympics with a score of 15.200 in the qualifying round. The judges awarded Yoder the fourth-highest score in the round, trailing the event leader’s score by just 0.066 points.

Track and Field

Former Ohio State hurdler Christina (Manning) Clemons competed in Sunday’s 100m hurdles semifinals. Clemons finished fourth in her heat at 12.76 and tied for 14th overall in the event.

Clemons, a 2012 Ohio State graduate, competed in the qualifying round on Saturday, finishing at 12.91, earning second in the heat and 15th overall. She earned her spot on the United States team after finishing third (12.53) in the 100m hurdles at the U.S. Olympic Trials in June.