Troy alumni and Georgia shooting legend Vincent Hancock took home his fourth gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics – making him one of very few Olympic athletes in history to win gold at least that many times for the same individual event.
Hancock is a competitive shooter in men’s skeet. Paris marks the fifth Olympic games he’s competed in – previously claiming gold in Rio, London, and Beijing. In an interview with 11Alive, Hancock says he’s now looking forward to the next games, where he hopes to keep the momentum going.
“I was really expecting to retire after this year, but the opportunity to be able to defend my title on home turf in L.A., I can’t pass up that opportunity,” Hancock said. “I have to at least try and make Team USA and try and defend it one more time.”
Hancock graduated from Troy University in 2014 with a degree in business management. The university congratulates the Olympian on his accomplishments.
“We are extremely proud of Vincent Hancock and his record making achievement during the Olympic Games,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., Chancellor of Troy University. “His excellence and dedication truly exemplify the best of the Trojan spirit, and he is a great source of pride and inspiration for the entire Troy University family.” Paris became the first Olympics where Hancock has taken home two medals – winning silver alongside Austen Jewell Smith for the mixed team skeet event. In men’s individual skeet, Hancock competed against training partner and mentee Conner Lynn Prince – who scored silver.
“Walking away with two medals with a lot of my really good friends and some of the athletes that I’ve helped to be able to make it there and teach the shooting sport in general, it’s been a blessing and a whole lot of fun,” Hancock said.
Hancock’s wife and two daughters were there in the stands to support him. The athlete explained that being able to do what he loves in front of his family is what made this year’s games so special.
“To see them back there supporting me, there’s nothing better,” he said.
Hancock developed a love for shooting at a young age and began competing at 11. He won his first World Championship title in 2005 at just 16 years old.
His introduction to the sport came from his father, who was also a competitive shooter. Though he has since passed, Hancock says he felt his father there in Paris and knew he’d be proud.
“I definitely felt like - whether it be before, during or after - I knew that he was watching, and I knew he was going to be happy no matter what happened,” he said.
Hancock is the only athlete to ever win four Olympic gold medals in men’s individual skeet. As he looks forward to 2028, he hopes to make history once again.
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