CU-Boulder’s Olympic history stretches back nearly 70 years, to David Bolen’s (Mktg’50) appearance in the 1948 London games. The future U.S. ambassador, then a CU undergraduate, placed fourth in the 400-meter run with a time of 47.2 seconds.
Since then, more than 85 Buffs have competed or coached in the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, and nearly a dozen have won medals.
William Toomey (Advert’62), pictured far right, was the decathlon champion of the 1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics. He is the only Buff to win a gold in track and field.
Several Buffs are in the running for spots on the United States teams that will compete at the 31st Summer Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August.
Photo © Bettmann/CORBIS
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