Aldrich Named USA Track and Field Throws Coach for 2024 Paris Olympics

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – Gary Aldrich, head coach of the Carnegie Mellon University track and field teams, has been named to the U.S.A. men's coaching staff as the Throws Coach for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This marks Aldrich's eighth coaching stint on the international stage and second straight at the Olympics after holding the same position for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

"It was hard to find the words when I was selected for the Tokyo Olympics, but now to be selected for back-to-back Olympic Games is not a common occurrence," said Aldrich. "This great opportunity causes me to reflect on this incredible journey. The only reason I ever started in track and field in my senior year of high school was because baseball players couldn't lift, they would become muscle bound, at least that was the thought process in the 70s. Every four years from 1968 I would watch and imagine what it must be like to be at the world's greatest sporting event. That dream became a reality and now for a second time! I am honored to be chosen to represent Team USATF as the Men's Throws Coach for the world's best track and field team at the Paris Olympics."

In July of 2019, Aldrich served on the U.S.A. coaching staff as the Throws Coach for the NACAC (North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletic Association) Under 23 Championships. Prior to that, he was the Assistant Throws Coach for the 2017 IAAF World Outdoor Championships in London, England.

In March of 2016, Aldrich coached the throwers at the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, before being named the men's throws coach for the World Indoor Championships in Portland, Oregon. In July 2012, he was the throws coach for the United States at the World Junior Track and Field Championships in Barcelona, Spain, and was also the assistant throws coach for the NACAC U23 Team in the summer of 2010.

"I couldn't be more excited for Gary and his opportunity to return to the Olympics as a coach for the United States," said Director of Athletics Josh Centor. "Gary is a tremendous coach and takes so much pride in the opportunity to share his knowledge and love of competition with others. He has always been able to help athletes get the most out of themselves in their various events and disciplines, and that will be no different on the international stage. The United States is fortunate to have a coach of his caliber on the track and field staff."

Aldrich, who is in his 10th year at the helm of the Carnegie Mellon Men's and Women's Track and Field program, has been honored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on nine occasions including five times as the Regional Indoor Men's Head Coach of the Year and four as Mideast Regional Outdoor Men's Head Coach of the Year. The season will mark his 18th on the Tartan staff, as he served eight seasons as the associate head coach.

During Aldrich's time at Carnegie Mellon, he has mentored athletes to 29 All-America honors, including a NCAA Champion in the women's pentathlon, while the men's program has won seven University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships and has finished second 14 times. Most recently, the 2023 team won the UAA Outdoor Championship leading to another coaching staff of the year award while placing second at the indoor championships. In total, Aldrich has been part of eight UAA Coaching Staff of the Year honors including his time as an associate head coach.

"I can't wait to contribute to the success of an incredible team on the world stage on our JOURNEY TO GOLD. I look forward to sharing this experience with my family, friends and CMU community, added Aldrich."