Bob Kempainen '88 will represent the United States Track and Field team this summer in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA.
This past Saturday, Kempainen won the United States Olympic Marathon Trials in Charlotte, N.C. with an unofficial time of two hours, 12 minutes and 44 seconds.
The Dartmouth alumnus recaptured a spot on the U.S. team, never breaking stride even as he vomited repeatedly. Kempainen took the lead during the courses three final uphill miles.
Kempainen finished 17th in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, Dartmouth men's cross-country Coach Barry Harwick said.
"I think his chances are much better this time," Harwick said. "He learned a lot from his experience in Barcelona."
While at Dartmouth, Kempainen ran for the varsity cross-country and track teams, competing every term of his scholastic career.
"The team was second in the NCAA Championships when he was here, which is the highest Dartmouth has ever placed," Harwick said, attributing much of the team's success to Kempainen.
Citing Kempainen's selection as a five-time All-Ivy and All-American runner, Harwick said, "In a very literal sense, he was one of the best athletes Dartmouth has ever had."
Women's cross-country Coach Ellen O'Neil '87 ran for Dartmouth while Kempainen attended the College and described him as a "silent leader" who "was a great role model."
"The most impressive thing was his ability to remain humble despite all of his accomplishments," she said. "He was just amazing in that aspect."
Not only was he an outstanding athlete, but Kempainen graduated Phi Beta Kappa in biochemistry," she said. "He had a great balancing act going."
"I think he has a great shot to possibly medal," O'Neil added.
As Kempainen looks forward to training for this summer's Olympic Games, he will return to the University of Minnesota Medical School, where he will finish his degree in June.
"I don't like the life-style of running year in and year out. So I'm comfortable studying and running at the same time. The school has been incredibly supportive. I have to do what everybody else does, but I can get it done on my timetable," Kempainen told the New York Times.
Kempainen supports Dartmouth's teams, Coach Harwick said. "He follows our program and is a supporter of our Friends of Track and Field group."
"Everybody on our team will be watching [the Summer Olympics]. No doubt about it," he added. "Making the Olympics was and is an extremely competitive endeavor."
Kempainen received $100,000 for taking first place in Saturday's Olympic Trials.
