Dick Buerkle

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameRichard Thomas "Dick"•Buerkle
Used nameDick•Buerkle
Born3 September 1947 in Rochester, New York (USA)
Died22 June 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
Measurements170 cm / 59 kg
AffiliationsNYAC, New York (USA)
NOC United States

Biography

Dick Buerkle was a distance runner for Villanova, from which he graduated with a degree in Spanish studies, and the New York AC. He first competed internationally for the United States in 1970 when he was eighth in the 10K at the Universiade. In addition to his 1976 Olympic appearance, Buerkle made the ill-fated 1980 Olympic team. Buerkle was AAU champion at 5K in 1974 and 1976. In January 1978, Buerkle set a world indoor record for the mile, running 3:54.93. A few weeks later he won the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games, the premier indoor meet in the USA.

Buerkle and his family later settled in the Atlanta area. He worked in sales and teaching, eventually teaching Spanish at Dunwoody High School and Henderson Middle School, where he also coached track and cross-country.

Personal Bests: 1500 – 3:39.8i (1978); Mile – 3:54.93i (1978); 2 miles – 8:21.8 (1976); 5000 – 13:23.4 (1974); 10000 – 28:25.0 (1974).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1976 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Dick Buerkle
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 9 h3 r1/2