Retro Mason: Muzzio places fifth at the Barcelona Olympics, 1992

Muzzio Places Fifth at the Barcelona Olympics, 1992

George Mason University alumnus and former track star Rob Muzzio, BS '87, finished fifth in the decathlon competition during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Although he didn't bring home a medal, Muzzio told the Washington Post that he performed a "personal best" in the second day of the 10-event decathlon, moving from 20th place the first day to fifth place finish overall. Muzzio won the pole vault portion of the competition.

In addition to Muzzio, who was representing the United States, nine George Mason athletes qualified to represent their native countries in 1992: heptathlete and long jumper Diane Guntrie and sprinters Anthony Wallace and Patrick O'Connor of Jamaica; pole-vaulter Istvan Bagyula of Hungary; middle-distance runner Abdi Bile of Somalia; sprinters John Myles-Mills, Eric Akogyiram, and Tim Hesse of Ghana; and long-distance runner Stephan Franke of Germany.

Barcelona was the second time Bile, who was the 1987 world champion in 1,500 meters, carried Somalia's flag in the opening ceremonies. His first time was when he competed in 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Information provided by Fall 1992 Inside Patriot Circlesalumni newsletter.