Kansas State Wildcats sprinter Eugene Omalla wins gold for Netherlands at Olympics
A few short months ago, Eugene Omalla was helping the Kansas State track and field team set school records in the 4x400 relay.
Now he is doing even bigger things for his country.
Omalla helped the Netherlands win a gold medal on Sunday at the Olympics in Paris in the 4x400 mixed relay, a team sprinting competition in which both males and females race against each other.
Omalla, who ran out of college eligibility at the conclusion of the 2023-24 athletic year at K-State, ran the opening leg of the race for the Dutch team. He wasn’t originally expected to run in the event but filled in for injured teammate Liemarvin Bonevacia. He turned out to be an excellent replacement.
The former K-State sprinter put his team in a position to win with a strong opening run. But the most entertaining part of the race came on the final lap when Femke Bol zoomed past several other runners and lifted the Netherlands to a victory at a time of 3:07.43, just three-tenths of a second ahead of Team USA.
Other runners on the Dutch relay team were Lieke Klaver and Isaya Klein Ikkink.
When the event was over, Omalla carried around his country’s flag in celebration.
Omalla added to the K-State Olympic trophy case, earning the 10th medal in school history and the fourth gold medal.
Other K-State gold medalists include Erik Kynard (high jump, 2012), Kenny Harrison (triple jump, 1996) and Thane Baker (400 meter relay, 1956).