Kimball Says He Will Dive Despite Outcry Against Him

Bruce Kimball, despite facing charges of alcohol-related manslaughter, said Tuesday he would compete in the U.S. Olympic diving trials that begin today at Indianapolis.

“I cannot disappoint my family, friends and teammates by giving up on myself,” Kimball said at a news conference he called at Indianapolis where the U.S. Trials are being held at the University of Indiana Natatorium. “I’ve dedicated 21 years of my life to the sport of diving. I’ve made incredible sacrifices to achieve the level of excellence which I’ve pursued, and I hold a strong bond of commitment toward the people who have encouraged me, supported me and . . . instilled a piece of themselves inside of me.

” . . . I’ve dealt with adversity in my life. I won’t give up and I don’t give up. I can’t live with myself if I do.”

Kimball, surrounded by his family, was occasionally near tears and his hands shook as he read a prepared statement.

“Diving is my work,” said Kimball, a 1984 Olympic silver medalist whose ability is considered by many as second only to Greg Louganis in platform diving.

At the recent national diving championships at Irvine, Kimball finished second to Louganis in platform and eighth in the three-meter springboard event. He qualified to compete in both events at the trials.

Barb McLaughlin, assistant executive director of U.S. Diving, the national governing body for the sport, said Kimball has not indicated if he will compete in both events. The 3-meter springboard event is scheduled to begin Thursday, and the 10-meter platform events begin Saturday.

Kimball, 25, faces charges of second- and third-degree felonies stemming from an Aug. 1 traffic accident, in which the car he was driving crashed into a crowd at Brandon, Fla., and killed two teen-agers and injured six others.

Robert Bedell, whose 19-year-old son Robbie was killed in the crash, told the Associated Press from his home in Brandon that he was stunned by Kimball’s decision.

“He doesn’t represent Olympic caliber,” Bedell said. “I can’t imagine they would let such a person represent the United States.”

Bedell said he would try to stop Kimball from competing. “I’ll pursue it through the U.S. Olympic Committee, but I don’t know how just yet,” he said.

Bill James, a Florida state attorney, said Tuesday that the results of tests on Kimball taken immediately after the accident indicated a blood-alcohol level of “.10% or above,” the legal level of intoxication in Florida. James, though, declined to release exact test results.

James said he was “surprised” that Kimball decided to compete, but that he has no control over Kimball’s activities until his arraignment, which is scheduled for Aug. 26.

James also said that, in most cases, a defendant is confined to the continental United States after an arraignment, which could mean Kimball could not travel to Seoul for the Olympics, Sept. 17-Oct. 2.

Tom Satterly, president of Tampa’s Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, a group that has led a campaign to try to keep Kimball from competing at the trials, called the diver “self-centered.”

“I have the same reaction today as I had the night of the crash,” Satterly said from his office in Tampa. “The night of the crash (it was reported that) Kimball got on his knees and cried, ‘Why me, why me?’ He was more concerned with himself than with the two victims he killed and the others he injured.

“That attitude, unfortunately for the victims’ families, has not changed. And now, I think it will put added pressure on his teammates and turn the U.S. diving trials into a three-ring circus.”

Satterly said he has been in touch daily with the families of the victims, and they have the same feeling as the MADD organization about Kimball competing.

“The victim’s families are dealing with it all the best they can, which isn’t too good,” Satterly said. “But they don’t think Kimball should represent America in the Olympics. It sends a negative message internationally.”

U.S. Diving officials have repeatedly said there is no federation rule that would prevent Kimball from competing because of the traffic accident.

And Ron O’Brien, Louganis’ coach, said he doesn’t think the other athletes will be affected by Kimball’s decision.

“When Bruce came to Indianapolis, the feeling was that he was here to dive, or else he wouldn’t be here,” O’Brien said from Indianapolis. “So, I don’t think it was a surprise.

“The other athletes are not going to be affected by Bruce’s situation, it’s not an issue for them. The only issue facing the athletes is that of making the Olympic team.”

Kimball said he did not make a statement before Tuesday because he has been emotionally devastated and didn’t know what to say. He said he felt grief and remorse and wanted to express his “deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of this tragedy.”