Athens Academy alumnus Graham Blanks to compete in 2024 Summer Olympics

Athens Academy alumnus Graham Blanks has secured a position on Team USA for the men’s 5,000-meter race at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris after having placed fourth at the U.S. Trials in Oregon on June 30.

A 2020 graduate of Athens Academy, Blanks is the first member of the U.S. Olympic Team in the school’s 57-year history. He began running cross country during middle school l joined the high school track team after giving up soccer. He went on to earn a spot on the Harvard University cross country team.

Athens Academy issued the following release concerning their Olympian:

Graham’s family and friends have been his biggest fans over the years, traveling far and wide to watch him compete. Both his head coaches from Athens Academy—Neville Anderson and Geoffrey Walton—were there in Oregon when Graham placed fourth in the qualifier. All of Graham’s family was on hand, including mom Mary Catherine Smith, who shared, “The support from the Athens Academy community has been nothing less than amazing. We appreciate each and every person who has cheered Graham on and followed his journey! Thank you to all of our incredible Spartans out there!”

Coach Anderson said, “From day one, Graham has been the definition of the dedicated and coachable athlete. He has worked hard and made sacrifices to stay on the path of training, and he has maintained great discipline in the pursuit of excellence, not just on the track, but in every part of his life. He trusted the process at Athens Academy and at Harvard.

“Graham is GeorgiaStrong, and he is SpartanStrong! I am so proud of him. Just amazing!”

Graham, who will be a senior at Harvard University this fall, won the 2023 NCAA Cross Country National Championship last November in Charlottesville, Virginia. He ran an undefeated season before taking the national championship in the men's 10k with a time of 28:37.7.

Geoffrey Walton reflected on Graham’s development over the years.

“It has been fun watching Graham grow from a goofy middle school runner into the NCAA Champion and Olympic athlete,” he said. “From his early days, running has always looked effortless for him. His greatest asset is his mental toughness. He is the most positive athlete I have ever coached. When it comes time to race, he will push all negative thoughts away, which helps him push himself beyond where any of us are able to. It is amazing to watch!”