International students gather to watch the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games

TRANSCRIPT OF THE BROADCAST:

An international party here on campus.

I’m Alberto Camargo, your neighborhood reporter for College Town.

When we see how the Seminoles inspire the students here in Tallahassee during the Summer Games in Paris,

With the 2024 Summer Olympics kicking off on Friday, there are plenty of Seminoles to cheer on.

There are 26 current and former FSU student-athletes competing in five sports: football, golf, basketball, track and field and swimming.

I told you earlier about Jeremiah Davis, who will represent the United States in the long jump.

In addition to the US, the Seminoles will represent 15 other countries in Paris.

To celebrate, dozens of FSU students gathered at the Center for Global Engagement to attend the opening ceremony.

A student I spoke to: Richard Turner.

“I support Jamaica wherever we are represented, so I have to show that.”

Richard says attending the opening ceremony while meeting new students is a new experience for him.

“I used to watch it with my family all the time. Being away from them for the games for the first time and having a group of people to cheer with — maybe cheer against, but it’s all for fun — it really means a lot.”

The CGE provides immigration advice and support to international students.

CGE Director Cindy Green says it was surreal to see some of those alumni on the world stage.

“We know them all, they all have an advisor, so we are very involved with the athletes and we are really proud that so many people are participating this year.”

In addition to occasional events like Friday, the CGE organizes weekly coffee hours, so that these gatherings and interactions with students become a permanent part of the campus.

Richard says he will continue to follow the games to see if a Seminoles medal can be won.

“I would feel very, very proud, because I tend to talk about Nole with pride. If I see that on the world stage, it would mean a lot to me.”

Former Florida State student-athletes have won a total of 16 medals at the games.

For a full list of the Seminoles participating, check out my web story at WTXL.tv.

In College Town, Alberto Camargo, ABC27.