Fabian Florant Olympic Results | Jamial Rolle Olympic Results
 
RIO DE JANEIRO – Two former All-Americans from the Missouri State men's track and field team competed recently in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games for their respective countries. Jamial Rolle (Bahamas) and Fabian Florant (Netherlands) participated in the 100-meter dash and triple jump, respectively.
 
On Saturday (Aug. 13), sprinter Rolle competed in the 100-meter dash. It marked his second Olympic appearance after he finished fifth in his heat in the 200-meter dash (20.93 seconds) in 2008 but did not advance. This time around, Rolle finished 64^th overall in the fastest race at the Games (100-meter dash) with a time of 10.68 seconds to finish eighth in his heat.
 
While at MSU, Rolle ('99-'02) played a key part in the 4x400-meter relay that earned All-America status in 2002 after finishing seventh in the nation. The team also won the Missouri Valley Conference event title during the indoor (3:12.70) and outdoor (3:08.16) seasons that year. A seven-time All-MVC honoree, Rolle went on to break three school records at his time at MSU. He holds the indoor individual record for the 200-meter dash (21.41 seconds) and was a member of the 4x400-meter relay squad that hold both the indoor (3:07.22) and outdoor (3:08.16) records.

Jumping specialist Florant competed in the triple jump in Rio on Monday (Aug. 15), finishing 12^th in his flight and 22^nd overall in the event with a leap of 16.51 meters.
 
"The Olympics is the highest level of competition," said Florant. "This is something I have always dreamt of and now I have done it. I can proudly call myself an Olympian."
 
The two-time letterwinner was a member of the men's track and field program until it was cut in 2006. He was a two-time MVC champion in the triple jump during the outdoor season and the top finisher during the 2006 indoor season. Florant was an indoor NCAA qualifier in the triple jump in 2005 while tabbing All-America honors after finishing sixth in the nation in the outdoor event in 2006.
 
Florant is grateful to have had the training at MSU to prepare him for his future.
 
"Competing at Missouri State provided a platform to facilitate and stimulate my professional career because being an NCAA Division I athlete is the highest level of collegiate athletics," said Florant. "My accomplishments at Missouri State were the beginning of my preparation to continue my quest to be an Olympian."
 
"Despite where they finished, it has been a thrilling ride for both Jamial and Fabian," commented Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Ronald Boyce. "Fabian, at his age, is a great example for all of us still trying to make our dreams a reality. Jamial just competed in his second Olympics, which is quite an accomplishment. We [the team and staff] are extremely proud of Jamial and Fabian and wish them all of the best of success throughout the remainder of their careers."
 
Senior-to-be Marissa Kurtimah will be the final Missouri State student-athlete to compete at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games on Thursday (Aug. 18). Kurtimah is a member of the Canadian 4x100-meter relay team that is scheduled to race at 9:20 a.m.