Former Trojan Weir claims USC's first medal in London

Published Jul. 28, 2012 1:44 p.m. ET

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Former Trojan swimmer Amanda Weir earned a bronze medal in the 400m freestyle relay on Saturday (July 28) during the first day of competition at the 2012 London Olympics, claiming USC’s first medal of the games.

Weir’s bronze is Troy’s 263rd medal overall. USC has won 123 gold medals, 78 silver and now 62 bronze. Troy boasts 40 athletes at these Olympics (former, current and incoming), more than any other school. A gold by a Trojan would extend USC’s streak of at least one gold medal at every summer Olympic games since 1912.

Weir, who competed for USC in 2007, helped the U.S. qualify for the final of the 400m freestyle relay by swimming on the prelim squad that finished second in morning heats. Though she did not swim in the final, she still earns a bronze medal because of her prelim participation.

Katinka Hosszu, a five-time NCAA champion who won two titles as a 2012 senior and now competing in her third Olympics for Hungary, qualified for her first Olympic final by finishing third in the 400m IM prelims in 4:33.77.

In the final, Hosszu finished fourth (her best-ever Olympic result) with a 4:33.49. China’s Ye Shiwen won the race with a world record 4:28.43, American Elizabeth Beisel claimed silver (4:31.27) while China’s Li Xuanxu, sixth after 300 meters, rallied for bronze (4:32.91), over-taking Hosszu during the final 50 meters.

Junior women’s swimmer Stina Gardell, competing for Sweden and a 2012 All-American, finished 14th in the 400m IM (4:41.66).

Trojan sophomore Cristian Quintero, an All-American as a 2012 freshman and swimming for Venezuela, finished 16th in the 400m free (3:50.44).

Six Trojan swimmers (all from different countries) will be in action Sunday (July 29), including former great Rebecca Soni, who will race in the prelims of the 100m breast.