Bruce Kimball

Bruce D. Kimball (born June 11, 1963) is an American diver and coach. He won a silver medal for the 10 meter platform at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

For the football player, see Bruce Kimball (American football).

Bruce Kimball
Personal information
BornJune 11, 1963 (1963-06-11) (age 57)
Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
Medal record
Men's diving
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
1984 Los Angeles 10m Platform
World Championships
1982 Guayaquil 10m Platform
1986 Madrid 10m Platform
Pan American Games
1983 Caracas 10m Platform

Kimball was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His father is Dick Kimball, who coached nine divers to Olympic medals. His brother is punk rock drummer Jim Kimball.

In October 1981, Kimball was struck head-on by a drunken driver. Every bone in his face was fractured, his left leg broken, the ligaments in his knee torn, his liver was lacerated, he had a depressed skull fracture and his spleen had to be removed. When he returned to diving in the summer of 1982, he made the World Championships on platform and earned a bronze medal as well as the nickname "The Comeback Kid."

At the 1984 Summer Olympics, he overtook Li Kongzheng with his final dive to win the silver medal, placing behind fellow American Greg Louganis.

On August 1, 1988, two weeks before the U.S. Olympic diving trials, Kimball, drunk, plowed into a crowd of teenagers while driving an estimated 70 to 90 miles per hour (110 to 140 km/h), killing two boys and injuring four others.[1] Despite the tragedy, Kimball took part in the trials, but failed to make the team.[1] He subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts vehicular manslaughter and was sentenced to seventeen years in prison. He was released on November 24, 1993, after serving less than five years.[1] As a part of his sentence, his driving privileges were revoked by Judge Harry Coe, and were reinstated in 2018.

Kimball is a Kinetic Wellness teacher and diving coach for the swimming and diving teams at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois.[2] As of 2008, he is married and has three children.

References
  1. Wallechinsky, David (2012). The Book of Olympic Lists. London: Aurum Press Ltd. pp. 230. ISBN 9781845137731.
  2. "Boys Swimming & Diving". www.newtrier.k12.il.us. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
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