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.

Jenny Simpson, of Monument, leads the pack in the Women's 1500 Meter semi-final on day 8 of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on June 29, 2012 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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.

Emma Coburn celebrates as she wins the Women's 3000 Meter Steeplechase on day 8 of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on June 29, 2012 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

"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.