Aug. 6, 2008

HOUSTON - Former University of Houston track and field star Ebonie Floyd will be with the US Olympic Track and Field Team when the 2008 Summer Olympic Games get under way on Aug. 8 in Beijing, China.

Floyd qualified for her first Olympic Team with a sixth place finish in the women's 400m at the US Olympic Trials, earning her a spot in the 4X400m relay pool.

"It's very satisfying when an athlete earns a spot on the team and has the opportunity to represent their country," UH track and field head coach Leroy Burrell said. "Ebonie came a long way. She didn't have the easiest road to travel. But, I know she'll represent team USA very well."

"It's going to be a bit of a learning experience for her," Burrell said. "She will need to keep herself ready. She'll likely run in the preliminaries and may be called upon to substitute in the finals."

Floyd is a four time NCAA All-American and holds five Houston school records. She was a two-time Conference USA Female Athlete of the Year and currently holds three C-USA meet records.

During her senior season, Floyd won the 200m at the NCAA Midwest Regional setting a meet record with her winning time of 22.32. For her performance at the met, where she also won the 100m, she was named the USTFCCCA South Central Regional Female Track Athlete of the Year.

Floyd won an unprecedented 12 combined C-USA championships.

The women's 4X400m relay competition is scheduled to begin on Aug. 22 with the finals to be held on Aug. 23.

The Olympics will be broadcast on the NBC family of networks. Check the networks' schedules of programming for more information.