Bruce Kimball

Bruce Kimball
Personal information
Born June 11, 1963

Bruce D. Kimball (born June 11, 1963 in Ann Arbor, Michigan) is an American diver and coach. He won a silver medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Three years before the Olympics, in 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, and his spleen had to be removed. This being one of the worst experiences of his life, he did come back to diving. When he returned to diving nine months later, he earned the nickname "The Comeback Kid".

At the 1984 Summer Olympics, he overtook Li Kongzheng with his final dive to win the silver medal.

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. Despite the tragedy, Kimball took part in the trials, but failed to make the team. He subsequently pleaded guilty to 2 counts vehicular manslaughter and was sentenced to 17 years in prison. He was released on 24 November 1993, after serving less than five. As a part of his sentence, his driving privileges were permanently revoked by Judge Harry Lee Coe.

Shortly before Christmas 2004 after an appeal to the Secretary of State of Illinois, it was found that he can apply for an Illinois drivers license. However, according to Florida authorities, his driving privileges are still revoked but he can apply for a hardship license which allows driving for business purposes and other purposes.

He is currently a Kinetic Wellness teacher and diving coach for the swimming and diving teams at New Trier High School, Winnetka, Illinois. As of 2008, he is married and has three children. His father is Dick Kimball, who coached nine divers to Olympic medals.

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