Take a walk around SMU’s campus around August 16th and you will see the campus gearing up for another golden year. Administrators, advisors, and academics are hopeful SMU’s Class of 2016, one of the smartest and brightest classes ever admitted to the University, will set a new gold standard for SMU achievement.
And while the entire campus is preparing for first-year students’ arrival, across the Atlantic, an entire city is preparing for another crowd equally eager to go for the gold. London, England is counting down to the 2012 Olympics by rallying round the Olympic Flame Torch Relay.
On May 18, the Olympic Flame began its 70-day journey in Greece, where the iconic games originated. Thousands of inspirational torchbearers will carry the torch on its 8,000-mile journey throughout the United Kingdom, bringing the excitement of the Games to England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
A large part of the global community, SMU has been getting in on the excitement too. SMU Abroad has five summer programs based in England. SMU-in-London: Communications’ travel plans coincided with the flame’s route through Scotland. The group arrived to Edinburgh a few days before the relay evening celebrations.
“The town square was obviously preparing for a big event,” junior Mahab Elahi said. “They had huge rings and a version of the London games logo on display for speakers, visitors to take pictures by and everything.”
Many students geared up for the Olympics by visiting the London Countdown Clock in Trafalgar Square, reminding tourists the days of Olympic triumph and defeat are upon us.
Three SMU swimmers are on the edge of competing at the Olympic games. Colombia’s Isabella Arcila, Lithuania’s Raminta Dvariskyte and Bulgaria’s Nina Rangelova respectively met their countries’ Olympic qualifying times in backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle competitions.
If these three swimmers are to make the official Olympic time, which officials believe will be announced next week, they will have earned the opportunity to swim for their countries in London.
SMU swimming and diving’s reach on the Olympic games doesn’t just stop at current students.
Laura Reback Bennett, a 1997 graduate, will compete in her second Olympic games as a triathlete for the United States. Bennett placed fourth in the triathlon at the 2008 Beijing Games.
Out of the water, 2003 graduate Johan Brunstrom is set to represent Sweden as a member of its Olympic tennis team. Brunstom will compete in doubles with partner Robert Lindstedt.
First-year students can get excited to join “Mustang Nation” as it goes for the gold abroad.
As the countdown to move-in, Mustang Corral, and classes, begin add “Watch for the Gold” to your calendar. The 2012 Olympic Games will be July 27-Aug. 12 with swim competition taking place between July 28-Aug. 4.
