With the Olympics fully underway, it seems fitting to mention the former Tech athletes/coaches who have been involved in some capacity with the Olympics.

First, Bimbo Coles is Virginia Tech's only Olympian. He was a member of the men's basketball team competing in the 1988 Olympics held in Seoul, Korea. The team settled for the bronze after losing to the Soviet Union in the semifinals and rallying to beat Australia to claim third place. But there have been other Olympians with Tech ties. Former Virginia Tech cross country coach Todd Scully was a member of the 1976 Olympic Race Walking team which competed in the 20K walk at the Olympics in Montreal. Scully also qualified for the 1980 race walking team which did not compete because the United States boycotted the Moscow games.

Also, current men's cross country coach Steve Taylor placed sixth in the country in the men's marathon at the Olympic trials in 1992 and was the alternate for the men's marathon team competing in the Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.

Strength coach Michelle Boswell competed in the US Track and Field trials this year and placed 16th in the hammer throw.

And several other Tech athletes tried to make this year's Olympics. On Aug. 8-15, swimmers Erin Milfeit, Lindsey Tew, Rob Duffy and Troy Hoff traveled to Indianapolis, Ind., and competed against the nation's best swimmers at the United States Olympic Trials. Unfortunately, none of them qualified, but all made respectable showings there. Also, Erick Kingston competed in the Olympic trials for the hammer throw, finishing 12th. But the team is comprised of the top three qualifiers. Kingston finished sixth in the NCAA Championships and was second-best collegiate American.

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