ASU Athletes, Students, and Expert Sources on the Paris 2024 Olympics

ASU Athletes, Students, and Expert Sources on the Paris 2024 Olympics

ASU's talented athletes and students are in Paris to lend some Sun Devil spirit to the XXXIII Olympiad, showcasing ASU excellence in competition and soaking up learning experiences as students gain hands-on experience in sports marketing, international reporting and competing on the world's biggest stage.

We are also highlighting ASU experts as the go-to sources for Olympic information. Please see a list of available people and topics for your reporting.

Expert Sources

• Fashion Expert: Dennita Sewell
  Program Director & Professor of Practice, ASU FIDM
  From Ralph Lauren's iconic Team USA uniforms to the cultural Olympiad, Dennita Sewell gives her take on the mix of heritage and contemporary style at the 2024 Summer Olympics. The opening ceremony is on July 26th and the closing ceremony is on August 11th. To speak with Dennita, contact Deborah Sussman at [email protected].
• Surfing Expert: Cliff Kapono
  Assistant Professor, School of Ocean Futures Faculty
  Cliff Kapono is mapping the world's most iconic surf breaks for science and the 2024 Olympics. Outside of a professional surf career, his work focuses on elevating scientific literacy. Kapono is currently based at ASU's new Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science in Hilo, Hawai'i. Surfing events are scheduled for July 27th - August 5th. To speak with Kapono, contact Gary Werner at [email protected].
• Breakdance Expert: Jorge 'House' Magaña
  Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Music, Dance, and Theatre
  Making its debut on the world stage, breaking will be at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Artist, breaker and assistant clinical professor Jorge 'House' Magaña can share the rich cultural history behind the art form and what we can anticipate from this year's games. Breaking competitions are scheduled for August 9th-10th.To speak with Jorge, contact Deborah Sussman at [email protected].

Students Experiences

• Reporting live from Paris: ASU journalism students are creating multimedia packages for broadcast during the Olympic games. Brett Kurland, assistant dean and a professor of practice at ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, along with Cronkite News Phoenix Sports Bureau Director Paola Boivin and Rian Bosse, will travel with the students to Paris. Upon arrival, they'll provide Olympic coverage for approximately 170 clients, hone their skills, earn academic credit and learn about a new culture in an immersive study-abroad program. For more information contact Jessica Pucci at [email protected].
• Twelve students from ASU's W.P. Carey School of Business will experience the 2024 Paris Olympics up close as they intern forTeam USA House. Throughout the three-week event, they'll support the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee by escorting VIP guests around the venues, coordinating visitor activities, and ensuring brand standards are met. As part of their internship, they'll also attend special talks with Olympic sponsors like Visa, Samsung, AirBnB, Coca-Cola, and Toyota to learn about global branding. Clinical Associate Professor of Marketing Christopher Lee will be one of the two W.P. Carey professors leading the trip. Professor Lee and students are available for interviews. For more information contact Elena Bras at (602) 316-5391 or [email protected].

Athlete Highlights

• Here you'll find a growing list of Paris 2024 Olympics-Sun Devil connections.
• From the high wire to the pool: ASU swimmer Ilya Kharun's parents were Cirque du Soleil acrobats; he represents Canada this summer at the Paris Games - see which other Sun Devils will also be competing
• Matt Thurmond, Missy Farr Kaye, and Herbie Behm - ASU alumni with strong ties to the Olympics.
• Coach Missy Farr Kaye is with five former Sun Devils competing in women's golf.
• Doug Tommaro with Sun Devil Athletics Media Relations is your best source for Sun Devil information. He can be reached at [email protected] or 480-734-7795.

For interview requests or further information, please contact the respective media contacts listed above.