From the Forty Acres to the 2024 Summer Olympics: Texas Athletes to Watch

The journey to gold is paved with meticulous preparation and constant improvement, shares Alison Gibson. As a 2020 Tokyo Olympian and 2024 Paris Olympic hopeful, Gibson knows firsthand what it takes to make a successful Olympic run. Her counsel to her fellow Olympic hopefuls? “This experience teaches you that success is not just about the big moments but also the daily commitment – thousands of small choices add up to a big moment. That’s true for excellence in any pursuit, whether it’s in sports, the workplace, or life in general.”

Gibson and her colleague Dan Neil recently spoke with us about the summer Olympics and the rising stars at their alma mater vying for their shots at the podium in Paris. Both Gibson and Neil are former University of Texas student-athletes who work closely with current student-athletes on behalf of Ouro, a global financial services and technology innovator based in Austin. They are eager to share who they are watching so our readers can follow and support our local student-athletes as they tune in. “It’s admirable and inspiring to watch what these Texas student-athletes are working to achieve, and we think it’s important to share that with our community and rally behind them,” said Neil.

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Gibson and Neil work with a growing roster of over 200 Texas student-athletes who recently signed Name Image Likeness deals where they earn compensation in exchange for completing financial training sessions in connection with promoting Ouro’s X World Wallet, a digital multi-currency wallet and payments app. “At Ouro, we look to athletes as models for achieving any goal, whether it’s financial, professional, or athletics-oriented.”

The mindset and habits that elite athletes cultivate are invaluable skills that translate across all domains. ”As these Olympic hopefuls chase the world’s biggest stage, they carry with them the support of the UT community and the conviction that their pursuits extend far beyond sports alone.

UT Olympic Athletes Pictured From Left to Right:

Emma Sticklen – 200 Butterfly @emmastickl
Emelia Chatfield – Hurdles @_emeliiaa
Jordan Skilken – 10 Meter Platform, 3 Meter Springboard @jordanskilken
Olivia Howell – 1500m @howell.olivia11
Hailey Hernandez – 3 Meter Springboard @_hailey.hernandez_
Jathan Belaire – Long Jump @j_belaire_13

UT Olympic Athletes Not Pictured:

Leo Neugebauer – Decathalon
Ackelia Smith – Long / Triple Jump
Akala Garrett – 400m Hurdles
Lydia Jacoby – 100m Breaststroke
Kate Knifton – Rowing
Alison Gibson – 3m and 3m Synchro