Kevin Burnham facts for kids
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
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| Born | December 21, 1956 Hollis, Queens, New York, U.S. |
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| Died | November 27, 2020 (aged 63) New York, New York, U.S. |
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| Height | 185 cm | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 70 kg | ||||||||||||||||
| Sailing career | |||||||||||||||||
| Class(es) | 470 | ||||||||||||||||
| Club |  Key Biscayne Yacht Club |
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Medal record
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Kevin Lobdell Burnham (December 21, 1956 – November 27, 2020) was an amazing American sailor. He won two Olympic medals in the sport of sailing. He was known for his dedication and for never giving up on his dream of winning a gold medal.
Kevin Burnham: An Olympic Sailing Legend
Kevin Burnham was born in Hollis, Queens, New York, in 1956. From a young age, he showed a great talent for sailing. He became a very successful sailor, winning many championships throughout his career.
Olympic Dreams Come True
Kevin competed in the Olympic Trials many times. He tried in 1992, 1996, and 2004. He always kept his goal of winning a gold medal in mind.
In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Kevin won a silver medal. He competed in the 470 class boat with his teammate Morgan Reeser. This was a huge achievement for him.
His biggest dream came true at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. There, he won the gold medal! He sailed with his partner Paul Foerster in the 470 class. Kevin was 47 years old at the time. This made him the oldest gold medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
A Champion's Legacy
Kevin Burnham was not just an Olympic medalist. He was also an 11-time U.S. champion. He won these titles in different types of sailing boats.
After his competitive sailing career, Kevin became a coach. He coached various international sailing teams. He also worked as the Head International 420 Coach for LIMA. This was the Long Island Mid Atlantic Sailing Team. He held this position from September 2015 to March 2017.
Kevin Burnham passed away on November 27, 2020. He was 63 years old. He is remembered as a true inspiration in the world of sailing.
