Securing the Gold

Special agent Nick Althoff, ’13, guards Team USA in Paris.

Nick Althoff, ’13, played a key role in the success of two U.S. teams at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics — not as an athlete, but as a special agent for the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS).

Assigned to protect the U.S. fencing and taekwondo teams, Althoff coordinated with local authorities and the U.S. Embassy. He answered questions about Paris, the venue, bus schedules, and sports rules. “I was worried it’d be awkward since I didn’t know much about the sports,” he said.

But the athletes were eager to share their knowledge and Althoff, working 10- to 18-hour days, had a front-row seat to the historic all-American women’s fencing final and the team’s gold medal victory. Being so close to the action, he was asked to hand the American flags to the athletes. “That is something I’ll never forget,” he said.

Althoff also admired the taekwondo athletes. “The athleticism of those athletes is insane,” he said. “I’m 6’5” and 250 pounds, and there were guys way bigger than me doing stuff I can’t even dream of — kicking five inches above my head.”

Althoff noted that the athletes were friendly and the DSS ensured everything was in place. “Our job was easy because the French organizers were so well prepared for the event,” he said.

From Patrol to Protection

Althoff joined the DSS — the law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. Department of State — in July 2023. The DSS operates in over 270 U.S. diplomatic posts across 170+ countries and in more than 30 U.S. cities. It is the largest global U.S. law enforcement presence.

Althoff is based in Houston, assigned to a field office for his first two years. “We do everything from providing security detail for the Secretary of State to conducting criminal investigations and serving warrants.” He began a 45-day tour with the Secretary of State’s security detail in late August.

“I’m the guy in the suit with the little earpiece,” Althoff said. “We’re agile and can adapt to different situations — we’re not just watching one door.” 
Before joining the DSS, he worked for the North Dakota Highway Patrol; his last assignment was providing security for North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Communication Skills in Action

Effective communication is key to Althoff’s job. “You might be speaking with someone from Nigeria one day and be in Seoul, South Korea, the next week. Relating to different people is huge, and UND helped me develop that skill.”

Althoff hopes to use these skills in an international DSS post. He has the support of his wife, Britt (Lindren) Althoff, ’13, and daughter who joined him in Paris during the Olympics. The athletes encouraged his 20-month-old daughter to try fencing. “They said Ivy League schools recruit fencers. So we may do it,” Nick said, smiling at the memory of his Olympic experience.