Klecker Continues CU and Family Olympic Legacy

BOULDER — When Joe Klecker steps to the starting line July 30 for the Olympic 10,000-meter run, he won't be thinking about the fact that Tokyo Olympic Stadium will be nearly empty.
Fans won't make him faster.

What will be on the former University of Colorado star's mind is that he will be ready to run in the most prestigious 10K in the world — and he earned his way into the race.

"One thing that I've looked at is that being an Olympian has a special label attached to it," Klecker said recently after a training run in Boulder. "For me, it's looking at this 10K race and realizing it's the hardest 10K race in the world to get into. There's no 10K that's harder to qualify for in the world. It's the premiere race. That's what I'm focusing on — I am in the best race in the world. Let's see how you do."

Klecker, a nine-time All-American at CU, wrapped up his collegiate career in 2020. He then turned pro, and despite the obstacles presented by Covid pandemic, hit the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., in mid-June in peak condition. He finished third at the Trials to earn his Olympic team spot, adding his name to CU's proud tradition of Olympians — and to his family's tradition as well.

Klecker's mother, Janis, ran for the USA in the marathon in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. His father, Barney, is also an accomplished runner who owned the U.S. record for the 50-mile ultramarathon from 1980-2019. Both were in Eugene to watch him qualify.

"I was actually more happy to have them be able to see me qualify for the Olympics than actually go to Japan," Klecker said. "That moment when you become an Olympian is a special moment, and for my parents to be able to be in the stadium and see that was incredible."

Since graduation, Klecker has been competing for the On Athletic Club in Boulder, where he is coached by former Buffaloes' standout Dathan Ritzenhein, who also owns Olympic credentials.

"I think his own experiences as an Olympian have been a big help," Klecker said. "Obviously, making the Olympics is a much harder goal than, say, making the NCAAs. But in a way, it's still the same. You prepare for it, you put all your energy into it and your coach is preparing you for what it's going to be like."

Ritzenhein helped Klecker break down the enormity of attempting to earn an Olympic berth.

"He helped me normalize it to a degree," Klecker said. "Yes, it's a really big goal to try to make an Olympic team. But he was able to make it seem attainable because of his own experiences. He looked at my training, what I was doing and said, 'OK, Joe, this how we do this.'"
Klecker will be one of four former Buffs representing the USA in Tokyo, joining Emma Coburn and Val Constien (steeplechase) and Morgan Pearson (triathlon).

Klecker was teammates with Pearson and Constien at CU, and he is still close with Pearson, who also trains in Boulder. Pearson earned his spot in May.

"Him making the Olympics was a big motivation for me," Klecker said. "He was one of the first guys I was learning from when I got to CU. He was a senior and I was a freshman and he really helped me learn about being a college athlete. When he made the Olympics, it was motivation for me to make the team as well."

There is, of course, yet another connection for all of this year's Colorado USA Olympians. All were coached by CU head coach Mark Wetmore, associate head coach Heather Burroughs and assistant coach Billy Nelson.

Nelson, who also serves as the Buffs cross country/track recruiting coordinator, is also an Olympian, having competed in the steeplechase in Beijing in 2008. Nelson called Klecker soon after the Trials to congratulate him.

"He was pretty excited about having two guys he recruited (Klecker and Pearson) make the Olympic team," Klecker said. "It means a lot to him."

Nelson is close to all four of this year's CU Olympians.

"I don't take credit for their success," he said. "It's not like I was writing their workouts for them. But I'm really happy for what they've accomplished. I remember the talks we had when they were all being recruited and I like to think I helped get them to CU. It's a great trend to have this many Olympians and I hope it's one that continues for a long time."

Klecker spent about a week in Eugene at the Trials, taking time to catch up with family and friends before returning to Boulder.

"It was nice to get settled back in Boulder and train and actually think about the race versus reflecting on the Trials," he said.

Since then, he's been concentrating on the Olympic 10K. As for the fact that there won't be fans in the stands because of Covid restrictions, Klecker said it won't be a factor when the race starts.

"It's obviously not the full experience in that regard," he said. "No doubt it would be fun to have 60,000 people cheering you on. But for me, this year has been about me wanting to do the best I can, regardless of the circumstances.

"And, I'm just 24. Hopefully, there will be more World Championships and Olympic teams in my future."

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