Ariana Washington had her fun. At the Opening Ceremonies for the Rio Olympics, the University of Oregon sprinter posed for pictures with fellow Team USA athletes ranging from flag-bearer Michael Phelps to Golden State Warriors basketball player Draymond Green. “That was the best experience ever,” Washington later tweeted. With several thousand athletes participating in the Parade of Nations set to the hip-moving beats of Brazil’s music, Friday night’s festivities were a party on a global scale. They were colorful celebration at the famous Maracana Stadium, in which green and yellow appropriately took a starring role. Oregon qualified more athletes for Rio than in the past three Summer Games combined, so it was appropriate that the Ducks spread their wings a little. But before the night was over, they flocked together for one OU team photo. This year’s Oregon contingent includes 20 athletes and two coaches representing six countries in 15 disciplines. They also represent 22 completely different passions, personalities and peccadilloes. Here are few things you might not have known about this group of UO Olympians. For more on their athletic accomplishments and a schedule of when each competes, check out www.around.uoregon.edu/2016olympians. Devon Allen, 110m hurdles, USA; Zoe Buckman, 1,500m, Australia; Johnathan Cabral, 110m hurdles, Canada; Matthew Centrowitz, 1,500m, USA; Sam Crouser, javelin, USA; Ashton Eaton, decathlon, USA; Phyllis Francis 400/4×400, USA; English Gardner, 100m/4×100 relay, USA; Cyrus Hostetler, javelin, USA; Claire Michel, triathlon, Belgium; Chamberlain Oguchi , men’s basketball, Nigeria; Alexi Pappas, 10,000m, Greece; Jenna Prandini , 200m/4×100 relay USA; Galen Rupp, 10k/marathon, USA; Deajah Stevens, 200m, USA; Zach Test, rugby, USA; Brianne Theisen-Eaton, heptathlon, Canada; Carlos Trujillo, marathon, Guatemala; Ariana Washington, 4×100 relay, USA; Chris Winter, steeplechase, Canada.
