Since 1904, USC Medal Count on the Rise at Summer Olympics

A Trojan tradition of winning at the Summer Olympics started with Emil Breitkreutz, Class of 1906.

Link: Trojan Olympic Miscellany | List: USC Olympians

Breitkreutz won a bronze in the 800-meter run at the 1904 St. Louis Olympics. Since then, USC has sent hundreds of athletes to the Summer Olympics with unequaled success.

"A USC athlete has won a gold medal in every single Summer Games since 1904," said Oxford Prof. Walter Ladwig. "Some of the guests we have here tonight have a big burden on their shoulders to keep that streak from being broken in 2012."

Ladwig was referring to a gathering of USC athletes Wednesday at the prestigiuos Oxford and Cambridge Club.

No university has sent more athletes to the Games or won more medals -- 122 gold, 76 silver and 60 bronze. Thirty-nine USC athletes, including sprinter Carol Rodriguez, will compete at London 2012.

"I came out of USC, and we train hard and we Fight On," said Rodriguez. "That's the Trojans, we Fight On."

Rodriguez is the school's record-holder in the 200m and 400m. She also is one of nearly 400 Trojan Olympians since 1904.