Former Spartan Athletes Head to Tokyo for Olympics

Exactly one year after the 2020 Olympics were canceled, the 2021 Tokyo Olympics begin today with the opening ceremony. Four former Michigan State Spartans will be joining their respective countries to compete on the world stage.

Shay Colley, a former women’s basketball player for Michigan State, is a first-time Olympian. During her 2018-2019 season at MSU she led the Spartans in rebounding and was able to sink the game-winning shot over Central Michigan in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Colley will be representing Canada in Tokyo this year.

Tori Franklin, a former track & field athlete, is another first-time Olympian. While Tori still wore the Green and White, she was a seven-time All-American in both the triple jump and the relays. She helped MSU get to the 2015 Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championship and is the record holder in both the indoor and outdoor triple jump. After her time at MSU she finished ninth in the triple jump in the 2019 World Championship. Franklin will be representing The United States in Tokyo this year.

Franklin Gomez, a former wrestler, is a three-time Olympian. While at MSU from 2005-2010 Gomez won the 2009 NCAA National Championship, and was two-time Big Ten Champion in 2008 and 2009. He will be wrestling in the 74 kg freestyle division. Gomez will be representing Puerto Rico, and he is the first Puerto Rican athlete to qualify for the Olympics three times. His past appearances were in 2012 and 2016.

Draymond Green, a former men’s basketball player, is a two-time Olympian. Green is a fan favorite from MSU who has led Golden State to three NBA Championships in 2015, 2017 and 2018. He will be representing the Untied States in Tokyo this year. In hs first trip to the Olympics in 2016, Green and Team USA won a gold medal, pushing him to join an elite group of Spartans. As of now only three Spartan alumni have won gold: Magic Johnson, Steve Smith and Draymond Green.

The 2020 (taking place in 2021, of course) Tokyo Olympics will be running from July 23 to Aug. 8.

Go Green!