McGovern Competes in Record 9th Olympic Trials Appearance

On January 25th, Locust Valley resident Dave McGovern placed 9th at the 2020 Olympic Trials in Santee, CA in the 50-kilometer (31.1 miles) race walk. In doing so, McGovern became the only person in US history to compete in nine consecutive United States Olympic Track & Field Trials.

A long-time member of the US National Team, McGovern has competed for Team USA on nearly 20 International teams, including seven World Cups, and won 15 US National Championships during his 35-year-long career. "I guess I'm a bit of an Iron Horse. Although I’ve somehow managed to never make the Olympic Team, I've been able to maintain a reasonably high level of fitness for a long stretch. My father died of a heart attack at 46, which has been great motivation to keep fit. Now with the Olympic Trials behind me, I’m not sure what’s next, but I can't imagine hanging up my shoes any time soon!"

Formerly a 20k specialist, McGovern placed 5th at the 1992 Olympic 20k Trials, and with a personal best of 1:24:29, he is the 2nd fastest 20k walker in US history to not make an Olympic Team. McGovern's 50k personal best is 4:29:02 and his best 50k Trials finish was 7th in 2004.

Race Walking has been an Olympic Track & Field event since 1904, with the 50k distance first appearing in 1932. The 2020 Olympic walks will be contested in Sapporo, Japan in early August.