University of Pennsylvania
Location: Philadelphia, Pa.
Nickname: Quakers

Paris has been called the city of light. The luminance of the city must have been quite strong, as 13 Penn track stars found their way to the French capital from West Philadelphia for the 1900 Paris Summer Games. They were also able to make the trip back to Philly despite lugging home the cargo of 22 medals: 11 gold, eight silver, and three bronze. With the exception of two won by Dr. George W. Orton '94 for his native Canada, the other twenty accounted for roughly 38 percent of the medals won by the United States in the 1900 Games.

Alvin C. Kraenzlein '00 became the first male athlete ever to win four Olympic gold medals in 1900. Kraenzlein's victories came in the 110- and 200-meter hurdles, as well as the 60-meter dash and long jump. During his track career, he set nine intercollegiate and Olympic records. Kraenzlein is also credited with inventing the leg-extended style currently used in hurdling.

In the many Olympiads since 1900, Penn has shown dominance in a diverse spectrum of competitions. Eleanor ╥Ellie╙ Daniel '73, a swimmer, took home one of every medalat the 1968 Games. Her gold medal came with the U.S. 400-meter medley relay team. She was so dominant in her days at Penn that she trained with the men's team. Daniel would earn another bronze medal in the 1972 Munich Games in the 200-meter butterfly.

Due to the absence of a bona-fide hockey team, Penn has seen little participation in the winter Olympics in recent years. However, Larry D. Bader '67 was a member of the U.S. men's ice hockey squad for the 1968 (Grenoble) and 1972 (Sapporo) Games. The United States won a silver medal in 1972.

A Quaker presence, however small, was still felt in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games. Lincoln DeWitt '90 was on the track team at Penn, running 800-meter and 1500-meter races. He took up the sport of skeleton in 1997, and made it to the Olympics five years later, all while holding a day job as a computer programmer. Skeleton was a part of the 2002 games after a 54-year hiatus; it was last contested at the 1948 St. Moritz (Switzerland) Games.