Olympic Shot Put Champion Michelle Carter Inducted as Honorary Member of Sigma Gamma Rho

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has inducted Olympic gold medalist Michelle Carter, the first American woman to win Olympic gold in shot put, as an Honorary Member. The sorority announced the induction today, Friday, July 24, 2026, during its 61st Biennial Boule in Tampa, Florida.

Michelle Carter is a three-time U.S. Olympian who competed at the Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016 Games. At Rio, she won gold with a throw of 20.63 meters, setting an American record and becoming the first American woman to claim Olympic gold in the event.

Earlier that same year, Carter won the world indoor title at the 2016 World Indoor Championships in Portland, Oregon. She grew up in the sport as the daughter of Michael Carter, himself an Olympic silver medalist in shot put in 1984 who went on to play in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers. Carter competed collegiately at the University of Texas, where she won an NCAA championship in 2006.

Known widely as “ShotDiva,” Carter has built a second act as a motivational speaker and youth advocate. She is the founder of the You Throw Girl Sports Confidence Camp, which uses sport to build confidence, body positivity, and self-belief in young women.

Carter was inducted as part of Sigma Gamma Rho’s Honorary Membership Class of 2026, a group of women recognized during the 2026 Boule Honorary Membership Ceremony for achievements spanning sports, entertainment, education, public service, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and global humanitarian work.

The ceremony took place as Sigma Gamma Rho gathered in Tampa, Florida, for its 61st Biennial Boule under International President Marica T. Harris. In announcing the class, Harris said the 2026 honorees “embody the spirit of service, the power of purpose,” carrying forward the sorority’s mission of Greater Service, Greater Progress.

We at Watch The Yard would like to congratulate Michelle Carter on her induction as an Honorary Member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

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