Aug 8, 2024 - Sports

Vandy's Lily Williams wins gold in cycling

Nate Rau

Lily Williams celebrates after winning gold. Photo: Thomas SAMSON / AFP via Getty Images

Vanderbilt University alum Lily Williams earned an Olympic gold medal Wednesday in the women's cycling team pursuit.

Why it matters: Williams is Vanderbilt's first female Olympian. She won a bronze medal in team pursuit at the Tokyo Olympics.

At Vanderbilt, Williams was a member of the track and cross-country teams.

The intrigue: The U.S. team defeated New Zealand to win the gold. Earlier in the week, Williams and her teammates finished behind New Zealand in an earlier race.

Team pursuit is a frantic, thrilling event in which competing teams fly around an indoor track at about 40 miles per hour.

Fun fact: Williams was previously a news intern for Nashville's public radio station WPLN.

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Vandy's Lily Williams wins gold in cycling

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