Athletes > Kris Gemmell > Bio

A contender
Gemmell has said that his goal is to be an Olympic champion, and he has dedicated his schedule towards reaching that goal. His results suggest that this is indeed a realistic possibility. He finished 2007 ranked fifth in the world, according to International Triathlon Union rankings, and he has ten career World Cup podium finishes. He finished 4th at the 2006 World Championships.

Commentator
Gemmell called the Athens men's triathlon from the television booth, after missing out himself on qualifying for the 2004 Games. The competition is always high in New Zealand in the sport of triathlon, and 2004 was no different. The kiwis took gold and silver in Athens, with Hamish Carter winning, and Bevan Docherty not far behind in 2nd place.

Beijing or bust
After missing out in 2004, Gemmell dedicated himself completely to making Beijing. "Obviously missing out in Athens wasn't my ideal picture of the way I expected that to go," he told Sky Sports magazine. "But I think every day since that fateful day I've made a point for myself to get to Beijing. I made that my sole goal during the two-and-a-half years leading up to the selection race last year."

Choosing triathlon
After growing up playing rugby in Palmerston North, Gemmell, or "G-Unit" as he is known, found triathlon while a student at Awatupu College. He did his first ever triathlon in 1997, and by the end of the year he would finish 6th at the junior world championships. Mom and dad were athletes in their own right; Mom played netball (a sport similar to basketball) at the local and regional level while Dad played rugby and cricket.