Aug. 14, 2008
In the Fast Lane with Jose Acevedo
Going the Distance with David Freeman
Clearing Hurdles with Mikel Thomas
On the Moooooove with Coach Tucker
Beijing, China – Former University of Kentucky distance runner David Freeman is the first Wildcat to start competition at the 2008 Summer Games. Representing his mother’s native Puerto Rico, Freeman will run in lane one of heat three during the 1500m round one preliminaries on Friday in Beijing at approximately 7:28 p.m. (7:28 a.m. ET) in National Stadium.
Freeman comes into the race with a personal-best time of 3:38.90 in the event. The Kentucky alum will battle 12 other runners in his heat for the right to advance to the 1500m semifinals on Sunday.
While at UK Freeman was honored as a three-time All-America in the mile (2003 and 2004) and in the 800 meter run (2002). Freeman’s name still graces the UK record books four years after his graduation. The middle distance specialist claims the 800m run indoor record of 1:47.40 set in 2003. That same year he anchored his distance medley relay squad to a record finish of 9:35.41.
More recently, Freeman competed in Lexington at UK’s Rod McCravy Memorial Meet in February as an unattached runner. There he battled 2008 Wildcat senior John Richardson down the stretch during an indoor competition with both athletes running an amazing time – under four minutes in the mile.
Freeman currently resides in Lexington where he works at a fitness center while continuing to train for his Olympic dream.
“I only have one day before I race and be forever known as an Olympian,” Freeman stated Thursday. “As everyone already knows, this has been a long journey. On Friday, my journey comes to an end and my dream becomes reality. This is a great honor that I welcome and will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Current Wildcat seniors Jose Acevedo and Mikel Thomas will compete in their respective events on Monday. Acevedo will race for Venezuela in the 200m dash and Thomas will run the 110m hurdles for Trinidad and Tobago.
The 2008 Beijing Games are the first to have multiple track athletes represent Kentucky. UK track and field has been represented by one participant at every summer Olympics since the 1976 Montreal Games with the exception of the heavily boycotted Moscow Games in 1980.
Big Blue fans can follow the progress of the Kentucky track and field contingent in Beijing by clicking the UK Olympics button on the UKathletics.com homepage. The special Wildcat Olympians webpage contains bios and features blogs frequently updated by each of the track athletes and UK assistant coach Erin Tucker during their 2008 Summer Games experiences.
Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for Olympic Games updates and more post-season news.
University of Kentucky 2008 Summer Olympic Games Track and Field Participants
Jose Acevedo (Venezuela) — 200m dash
David Freeman (Puerto Rico) — 1500m run
Mikel Thomas (Trinidad and Tobago) — 110m hurdles
Coach Erin Tucker (Venezuela) — Guest coach
