Former, current Bulldogs represent University in Beijing

By: MICHAEL FITZPATRICK

Posted: 7/24/08

With each passing day, the opening ceremonies of the 26th Summer Olympiad in Beijing draw closer.

And when the festivities kick off on Aug. 8, the University of Georgia and the Southeastern Conference will be well-represented.

In all, 19 former or current Bulldogs - 17 athletes and two coaches - will represent nine countries in three different sports under the bright lights in the world's biggest athletic event. Georgia is best represented in the pool, where 10 of its Olympians will compete. This shouldn't be a big surprise considering that head swimming coach Jack Bauerle is the head coach of the U.S. women's team, and diving coach Dan Laak is the U.S. assistant dive coach.

Each SEC school is represented with at least one former or current athlete in eight different sports.

In all, 137 Olympians from 38 countries have SEC ties, with Florida leading the way with 32 athletes from 20 countries.

Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee each have at least 13 participants.