There are so many different representations of Greek Life. You have the news which spreads stories, both good and bad, about individual chapters and what happens with them on campus. You have books like "Dirty Rush" which attempts to give those on the outside a glimpse into the crazy and confusing ways of Greek life. And then you have movies like "Neighbors" which aim to represent Greek Life in a humorous and dramatized format. One of the most recent representations of Greek Life is one I feel isn't getting enough credit. And that representation is on the world's largest stage, the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Having Greek representation in Rio is a huge benefit to the image of Greek Life and should receive more recognition than it is receiving. Those who don't fully understand Greek Life may see it as an excuse to attend parties and just make it through college with the help of their brothers and sisters. But to see that Olympic athletes, who spend their life devoted to their sports, were able to "Go Greek" shows a different side of the organizations. It shows how diverse and successful members of the Greek community can be and already are.
Here are some spotlights on Greek-affiliated athletes competing this summer:
1. Abby Johnston and Mariya Koroleva- Delta Delta Delta
Neither of these Tri Delts are new to the Olympic stage. Both competed in the 2012 London Summer Olympics. Koroleva is a member of the U.S. Synchronized Swimming team and Johnston is an Olympic diver who left 2012 with a silver medal.
2. Kaleigh Gilchrist- Pi Beta Phi
From the University of Southern California, Gilchrist is making her first Olympic appearance as a member of the women's water polo team. However, she also has a passion for surfing which she has put on hold for now but intends to return to after the Olympics.
3. Chierika Ukogu- Kappa Alpha Theta
Team USA is not the only Olympic team with Greek representation. Chierika Ukogu, a sister from Stanford University, is a member of the Nigerian Rowing Team. Other countries, like Canada and Jamaica, have sorority women representing them, too.
4. Aimee Boorman- Delta Phi Epsilon
Representation at the games also goes beyond the athletes. Former DPhiE sister Aimee Boorman has been coaching gymnastics superstar Simone Biles since the very beginning.
Fraternity Men:
It seems that when it comes to greek representation at the Summer Olympics the sorority members outnumber the fraternity men. But Greek men in the 2016 Summer Olympics have representation in Track and Field, Swimming, Rugby, the Paralympics, and among the coaching staff. Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Alpha Psi, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Pi Kappa Phi are among some of the organizations that have former members competing in these sports.
There are a handful more fraternity men and sorority women who will be representing their individual organizations, and Greek Life as a whole, at this year;s Olympics. And while my affiliation is different from theirs, it makes me proud as a Panhellenic woman and a fellow member of Greek Life to see them representing us, and the USA, at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
