Kentucky Track alum Jasmine Camacho-Quinn named Puerto Rico flag bearer for Olympic Opening Ceremony

The Paris Olympic Games are only a few weeks away and a former Kentucky Wildcat has the honor of carrying her homeland’s flag to kick things off. Kentucky Track and Field alum Jasmine Camacho-Quinn has been named one of Puerto Rico’s flagbearers for the Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 26. She and wrestler Sebastián Rivera will carry the island’s flag in the event, which will take place on boats on the Seine.

Camacho-Quinn, who attended Kentucky from 2015-18, won gold in the 100-meter hurdles at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021. Since then, she won bronze and silver at the 2022 and 2023 World Athletics Championships and a gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador in 2023. This will be Camacho-Quinn’s third Olympic Games. She told the Puerto Rican newspaper Primera Hora that carrying the island’s flag, aka the “Monoestrellada,” is an honor.

“Honestly, I am excited,” she said. “It’s something big. I didn’t see it coming, and it means a lot to be the one to carry the flag. I am grateful, as is my family, who are super proud. I can’t wait for it to happen.”

Why does Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, compete under its own flag and not the stars and stripes of the United States? The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognizes Puerto Rico as a country, therefore it has its own Olympic program/team. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn’s gold medal in the 100-meter hurdles in Tokyo was Puerto Rico’s first; she is determined to make sure it’s not the last.

“I am focused on defending my championship and bringing back another gold medal,” she told Primera Hora.

Camacho-Quinn is one of seven former Kentucky Track and Field athletes competing in Paris, three in the 100-meter hurdles. She’ll be going against fellow Wildcat Masai Russell (’23), who won the event at the U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials last week, and Devynn Charlton, a UK volunteer coach who runs for Team Bahamas. The women’s 100-meter hurdles begin August 7 with the final taking place on August 10.

Kentucky Track & Field Alums at the Paris Olympics

Women

• Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (2015-18; Team Puerto Rico) – 100mH
• Alexis Holmes (’22) – 400m, relay pool
• Devynne Charlton (Volunteer Coach; Team Bahamas) – 100mH
• Masai Russell (’23) – 100mH
• Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (2017-18) – 400mH

Men

• Andrew Evans (’14) – Discus Throw
• Daniel Roberts (’19) – 110mH