Famous Olympic Swimmers

One of the most popular events of the Olympics is swimming, where female and male Olympic swimmers vie for fame and glory in thirteen recognized events each, which are held in a pool measuring 50 meters. In fact, it was back in 1896 that swimming was included in the modern Summer Olympics, held in Athens. The backstroke was added as a separate event in 1900. At first the butterfly was regarded as a variation of the breaststroke, however, it was given recognition as a separate swimming style in the Olympics of 1952. Presently, four swimming strokes are recognized, which are: the freestyle, the breaststroke, the backstroke, and the butterfly. While the ‘Individual Medley’, or IM, is made up of all of the four strokes combined, done in a particular order: first, the butterfly; then, the backstroke; followed by the breaststroke; and finally, the freestyle. Given below are some of the famous Olympic swimmers who have accomplished great feats in all these events.

Johnny ‘Tarzan’ Weissmuller: Johnny Weissmuller, of the Tarzan movie fame, was also one of the best swimmers of the world during the 1920s. He won 5 Olympic gold medals as well as a bronze medal. Plus, he also set 67 world records and has never lost a single swimming race, retiring from his swimming career undefeated. Of course, most people remember him portraying Tarzan, along with the characteristic Tarzan call, which he had invented.

Dawn Fraser: Dawn Fraser is regarded as the greatest female swimmer in the world, being the first woman who swam the 100-meter event in less than a minute. When she was 12 years old, in 1952, a Sydney coach at one of the local baths spotted her. Dawn earned acclaim in 1955 when she broke currently held records in the freestyle events right up to 880 yds. She shot into international fame at the Melbourne Olympics held in 1956 when she broke the 100-meter freestyle record, which was set 20 years back by Willy Den Ouden. Just 18 years of age, she won 3 medals from her first Olympic games.

Ian Thorpe: An Australian, Ian Thorpe has won 5 Olympic golds as well as 11 gold medals in the World Championships. No one else from his country has been able to match is Olympic gold tally, while his World Championship feat has put him in the second place in swimming. Plus, he has been nominated four times as the World Swimmer of the Year by the Swimming World International magazine.

Jennifer Beth Thompson: She has won 12 Olympic medals, which includes 8 golds, while she represented the United States in the Summer Olympics of 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004, making her the most decorated Olympic swimmers in history.

Mark Spitz: Born in 1950, he has won 7 gold medals at the 1972 Olympics held in Munich, setting world records in all of the seven events. Widely regarded as the one of the all time greatest athletes, he was named the swimmer of the year in 1969, 1971, and 1972. Plus, the Sports Illustrated Magazine voted him one of the greatest Olympians and the athlete of the century in 2000. In addition, the International Olympic Committee has named him as one of the 5 athletes of the century.

Mary T. Meagher: Named ‘Madame Butterfly’, she set a record in 1981 in the 200 meter butterfly event. Another record she had made was in the 100-meter butterfly in the same year. Later, she blazed her way to various other feats that brought glory and fame to her. For example, she won gold medals in the Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, in 1984, in the 200-meter and the 100-meter butterfly races, plus another gold for the butterfly leg of the medley relay for women. Then, in 1988 Olympics, held in Seoul, she won a bronze in the 200-meter butterfly.

Matt Biondi: Born in 1965, Matthew Nicholas Biodi has won 11 Olympic medals, participating in the 1984, 1988, and 1992 Olympics. He equalled Mark Spitz’s feat of winning 7 medals in a single Olympic Games, in 1988. Biondi won 5 golds in Seoul, while he set records in four of the events.

Laure Manaudou: She is a French World, European, and Olympic swimming champion, and holds the world records currently for the 200 meters freestyle (long course) and the 400 meters freestyle (short course).

Michael Phelps: He is a holder of world records in a number of events. Amongst his achievements are the 8 medals he won at the Summer Olympics of 2004 held in Athens, of which 6 were gold. He was named the World Swimmer of the Year in 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007.