SAN ANTONIO - Four individuals with UTSA ties are set to participate in the games of the XXXIII Olympics in Paris.
Former UTSA track & field student-athletes Diego Pettorossi ’22 (Italy) and Alanah Yukich ’23 (Australia) will represent their respective countries in the athletics competition at Stade de France, which will run from Friday, August 2, to Saturday, August 10. UTSA track & field signee Fatoumata Kabo (Italy), who will join the program for the 2024-2025 season, also will compete at Stade de France.
The trio mark the third, fourth and fifth all-time Olympians for UTSA, with all previous Olympic performers also representing the track & field program. In addition, Shelby Dale, an assistant athletic trainer for the UTSA women’s soccer team, is joining the medical staff for Team USA Paralympic Track & Field.
“While with us at UTSA, Alanah and Diego were prime examples of hard work, dedication and devotion to this team,” said Aaron Fox, UTSA director of track & field and cross country. “They excelled academically and athletically in their respective years with us and continue to make us proud of their post-graduate performances that now lead them to the biggest stage in Paris. We are also extremely excited to add an NCAA Champion and now Olympian, Fatoumata Kabo. We are thrilled to have an athlete of this caliber coming into our program.”
Pettorossi was the 2022 Italian National Champion in the 200-meter dash and will represent his home nation on the Olympic stage for the first time. His current career best of 20.45 seconds is 57th in the world. Pettorossi also competed in six meets last month, including a victory at the Cybulski Memorial in Poland for his new career mark. Pettorossi is fresh off silver at the Italian Championships on Sunday, June 30 — only edged out by Tokyo Olympics relay champion Fausto Desalu.
“I’m extremely grateful and honored to be able to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris next month,” Pettorossi said. “This is a full-circle moment that began when I joined UTSA three years ago, right after the Tokyo Olympics. Working with (associate head coach) Kareem Streete-Thompson was a turning point in my career; he is not just a coach but the person who truly made me realize my full potential. I wouldn’t be here without him and the support of the Roadrunners family. Paris marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and I want to give my best to represent my country and UTSA on the world’s biggest stage.”
Yukich has ranked as high as 32nd in the world rankings and is currently 36th in the 400-meter hurdles. This marks her first Olympic appearance with Athletics Australia. Working to secure her spot while competing in five meets with three 400-meter hurdles wins in the month of June, Yukich came away with her top time of 55.15 at Meeting Madrid 2024 on Friday, June 21, in the Spanish capital’s Estadio Vallehermoso.
“Having the opportunity to represent Australia at the Olympics as a track and field athlete is a dream come true,” Yukich said. “It's the result of years of dedication and hard work. Competing on the world’s biggest stage and wearing the national colors fills me with pride and excitement. This journey has been challenging yet rewarding, and I’m grateful for every moment and the support of my coaches, family and fans.”
Kabo will compete as part of Italy’s 4x400-meter relay in Paris, earning her invitation after registering a career-best 52.24 individual 400-meter clocking at the Italian Championships on Saturday, June 29 — ultimately finishing fourth in the individual event final. Kabo’s event is scheduled to open with Round 1 on Friday, August 9, heading toward the Saturday, August 10 relay final. She is fresh off winning NCAA DII national titles in both the 400-meter hurdles (57.39) and then running a 51.4-second split as the second leg of ASU’s 4x400m relay (3:32.88 combined).
“When I heard I was selected for the Olympic Games, I was incredulous. I still am,” Kabo said. “My first time on the national team and I was called for the Olympics. It's a dream come true. I definitely feel joy and gratitude. To have this opportunity is unique and is a blessing. I cannot but do my best and prove that they gave it to the right person.”
Dale, who works with UTSA’s women’s soccer program, is fulfilling a lifelong dream as a member of the Team USA Paralympic Track & Field medical staff.
“Being selected for the Team USA Sports Medicine Staff, working with Para Track and Field, is a true honor and dream come true,” Dale said. “I set a goal in undergrad to one day work with Team USA and started the process of getting involved with USOPC (United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee) Sports Medicine back in 2018. I knew the chance of getting connected and selected by a National Governing Body for Paris 2024 would be a challenge based on timing and availability. Receiving the notification that I had been selected to serve as an athletic trainer in Paris for the Paralympics was a relief and validation for the hours we spend working with our athletes and personal sacrifices we make to help our teams succeed.”