Previously a member of the Texas State track and field team from 2012-15, pole vaulter Anicka Newell will be competing in the upcoming Paris Olympic Games for Canada. These games mark Newell’s third consecutive Olympics.

Despite being born in Denton, Texas, Newell qualifies to compete as a Canadian athlete due to her dual citizenship with Canada and the US

According to Newell, there is no better experience in the world of sports than competing at the Olympics.

“The Olympic experience as a whole is very surreal,” Newell said. “Having the uniform with your flag and country across your chest is such a huge deal, I still don’t have words for it.”

Newell said that having athletes from the Texas State track and field program at the Olympics gives the school a big stage to showcase the talent it can produce.

“The Olympics is the pinnacle of every sport in my opinion,” Newell said. “Every athlete wants to be there at some point. Texas State has some great rounded-out athletes and now they get to say they have a great track program and a few Olympians.”

Newell gave credit to former college Texas State for her development as an athlete.

“I wouldn’t be where I am at today without having gone to Texas State to compete and going through their program with the coaches I had,” Newell said.

Newell has competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, 2020 Tokyo Olympics and will now take part in her final Olympic competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Anicka Newell will be representing Texas State along with current sophomore sprinter Taejha Badal who will run in the women’s 4×100 relay event for Trinidad and Tobago.

Newell will be competing in the pole vault event on August 5 at the Stade de France in Paris.