SALT LAKE CITY — An Olympian from Utah was surprised at the airport when his university team decided to celebrate its victory at the Paris Olympics.
Kenneth Rooks, who won the silver medal in the steeplechase at the 2024 Summer Olympics, returned to Utah on Monday afternoon. He decided to stay abroad a little longer because he had to compete in Poland.
So Rooks’ college team decided to surprise him at Salt Lake International Airport.
“It’s about welcoming home the victorious hero,” said Ed Eyestone, track and field coach at Brigham Young University.
The BYU track and field team waits for Rooks at the airport. (KSL TV)
Eyestone and the other BYU athletes were waiting at the airport to surprise Rooks and celebrate his success at the Paris Olympics. The BYU team was training with Rooks to prepare him for his competition.
“The guy who rocked the world by sticking his nose into the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Paris Olympics and almost winning it,” Eyestone said. “His victory is really their victory.”
After being away from the Beehive State for more than a month, Rooks made a surprise return home.
“Yeah, I wasn’t expecting it,” Rooks said, “but it was a great surprise to come home and be welcomed by the men’s and women’s teams and everyone else.”
Rooks leaves his gate to join his BYU team. (KSL TV)
The Olympian had some time to reflect on his time in Paris, saying it still feels like a dream, but one that came true.
“It’s crazy to think about it and say I did that,” Rocks said. “It was exciting to be a part of it and experience that moment and see it become a reality.”
During his race in Poland, Rooks crashed and injured himself. He said he will have it checked by a doctor, but as soon as he gets the OK, he will start training again.
