Global Hoosiers in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo
The Olympics are one of few events where over 200 countries can bring people together with a common goal of cultivating relationships through international sports. This year we are watching Hoosiers compete in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics for both the U.S.A. and countries around the world.
Julie Allemand
Nation: Belgium
Hoosier Connection: Indiana Fever Player
Hometown: Liège, Belgium
Age: 25
Olympic Event: Women’s Basketball
About Julie: In 2016, Julie was selected in the third round by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft. She was the first player to ever make the WNBA All-Rookie Team after being drafted in the third round. Julie continued to play overseas until signing with the team in 2020. Prior to the Indiana Fever, the point guard spent many years playing for the Lyon Asvel club in France. In 2016, Julie was named the Female Basketball Player of the Year in Belgium.
Nooran (Nuna) Ba Matraf
Nation: Yemen
Hoosier Connection: Student at DePauw University
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
Age: 21
Olympic Event: Women’s 100m Breaststroke
About Nuna: As a rising senior at DePauw University, Nuna has qualified for two Olympic Games, including both the Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo games, becoming DePauw’s first two-time Olympian. When she competed in the women’s 100m butterfly event at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro she became the first female swimmer to represent Yemen in the Olympics. Nuna holds dual citizenship in both the United States and Yemen.
Andrea (Annie) Drews
Nation: USA
Hoosier Connection: Purdue University graduate
Hometown: Elkhart, Indiana
Age: 27
Olympic Event: Women’s Volleyball
About Annie: After graduating from Purdue University in 2015, Annie has gained years of international professional playing experience. She played in Italy, Turkey, and Japan for a year each and spent two years playing for two different teams in Puerto Rico. Annie was named Best Opposite at the 2019 World Cup in Japan. She has been a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team since 2017. In 2019, Annie was named U.S. Volleyball Female Indoor Player of the Year.
Chukwuebuka (Chuk) Enekwechi
Nation: Nigeria
Hoosier Connection: Purdue University graduate
Hometown: New York, New York
Age: 28
Olympic Event: Men’s Shot Put
About Chuk: During his time at Purdue University, Chuk won four Big Ten championships and was named Big Ten Conference Field Athlete of the Year in 2015 and 2016. He holds four school records and is one of the most decorated athletes in Purdue’s history. Currently living in West Lafayette, Indiana, Chuk is a volunteer coach for Purdue’s track & field team working with the throwers, while also training with the Purdue Coach for the Tokyo Olympics.
Tomer Frankel
Nation: Israel
Hoosier Connection: Student at Indiana University
Hometown: Jerusalem, Israel
Age: 20
Olympic Event: Men’s 100m Butterfly
About Tomer: A rising sophomore at Indiana University, Tomer, set an Israeli record in the 100m butterfly event at Israel’s Olympic trials for the Tokyo games. At the 2021 NCAA Championships, he finished ninth in 100m butterfly and 200m butterfly. Tomer also earned seven All-America honors at the 2021 NCAA Championships and First Team All-Big Ten. He competed in world championships in Gwangju, South Korea in 2019 and Budapest, Hungary in 2017.
Gabi Rennie
Nation: New Zealand
Hoosier Connection: Student at Indiana University
Hometown: Christchurch, New Zealand
Age: 20
Olympic Event: Women’s Soccer
About Gabi: As a rising sophomore at Indiana University, Gabi is competing in her first Olympic Games in Tokyo. She was a member of the New Zealand U-17 national team that earned a bronze medal in the 2018 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Gabi then served as team captain of New Zealand’s U-20 national team at the 2018 FIFA U-20 World Cup. She began playing soccer at the young age of five in New Zealand.
By Taylor Bisson, Marketing and Communications Intern
