The opening ceremonies took place Friday night in Rio de Janerio, Brazil to officially kick off the the 2016 Olympics. Three Sun Belt athletes will compete in track and field events in the summer games.
Anicka Newell from Texas State will represent team Canada and is competing in women's pole vaulting. Her mom is originally from Canada, which qualifies her to represent the country. Some of her greatest achievements during her time at Texas State include being named the 2014 pole vault champion at the Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championship and reaching the 2014 NCAA West Preliminary Qualifier. Her first day of competition in Rio is on Tuesday, August 16.
Fellow Texas State alum, Logan Cunningham, will also compete in pole vaulting, but for team USA. He cleared 5.60 meters on his first attempt during trials and placed third overall. Cunningham's first day of competition in Rio will be Saturday, August 13.
Amber Campbell, 35 is no stranger to the Olympics and will compete for her third time in the hammer throw event. She made her first appearance in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but has never made it to finals. Campbell is a Coastal Carolina University graduate and is currently ranked fourth in the U.S. for women's hammer throw. Watch her compete on Friday, August 12.