On Friday morning, former University of Missouri track and field athlete Karissa Schweizer advanced to the 5000m final after finishing eighth out of 41 competitors. She'll be one of the 16 athletes competing for a medal in this event. Finishing just two seconds behind the leader, her hopes of securing a podium spot are well within reach.
This isn't the first time Schweizer has competed in the Olympics; she also appeared in the 2020 Tokyo Games. The experience she has gained over the years should help calm her nerves and ease the pressure. In fact, she may even be able to use her experience to her advantage.
Urbandale’s Karissa Schweizer (Dowling Catholic) and USA teammate Elise Cranny advance to final of Olympic 5K. 🇺🇸
— Keith Murphy (@MurphyKeith) August 2, 2024
File photo: AP pic.twitter.com/fRq0OGFVst
Not only is Schweizer running the 5000m, but she'll also take part in the 10,000m race on August 9th. She is the first woman from Mizzou to qualify for multiple events in back-to-back Olympic games. As her legacy continues, Schweizer will look to seize a med over the next week.
During her time at Missouri, Schweizer accumulated numerous awards, including five NCAA titles, six SEC championships, and eight All-American recognitions. She won titles in the 3000m and 5000m runs, both outdoors and indoors. She is one of the most accomplished athletes in Missouri's history and still holds the record for the fastest mile time (4:27.54).
What's next for Karissa Schweizer?
You can catch Schweizer back in action on Monday, August 5th, in the 5000m final, where she'll aim to take home her first piece of Olympic hardware. Regardless of the result on Monday, you'll be able to see her compete in the 10,000m run on Friday, August 9th, in one of the final Olympic events. All the action can be seen on the networks of NBC.