Former CU Track Stars Opt To Skip Olympics Opening Ceremonies

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - Former University of Colorado Buffaloes Jenny Simpson and Emma Coburn won't be on hand Friday for the opening ceremonies of the Rio Olympics. The pair is staying in Boulder to continue their training.

It's the third Olympic games for track and field star Simpson, 29, who qualified for Rio after winning the U.S. Olympic trials in dramatic fashion. She won the 1,500-meters in 4:04.74 at the United States Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.

It's the second Olympic appearance for Coburn who is the American record holder in the 3,000-meter Steeple Chase.

Both runners have been through the opening ceremonies before and don't want to be distracted from the task at hand.

"If I have a chance to medal at the Olympic Games once every four years, this has got to be my best chance," Simpson said. "So that would be really special to me to go and be Top 3. So that's what I'm running for."

"I've never won a global medal, so I really want a medal in my career, and I feel that the Olympics is a good a time as any to one," Coburn said.