The Most Memorable Moments in Olympic Swimming

John Lohn

doi:10.5771/9781442237001

Summary

Every four years the summer Olympic Games capture the world’s attention. Over 10,000 athletes from more than 200 countries gather to prove they are the best in their sports. From the first competition held in 1896 to the 2012 London Olympics, the games have hosted some of swimming’s greatest victories and toughest defeats. Fans have witnessed Johnny Weissmuller win back-to-back Olympic gold medals before he found fame on the big screen as Tarzan; they have seen Dara Torres defy age to win three silver medals at the age of 41; and they will forever remember Michael Phelps capturing a record eight gold medals at the 2008 games.

The Most Memorable Moments in Olympic Swimming relives the sport’s greatest moments on its biggest stage. Through careful research and the personal recollections from the athletes themselves, John Lohn has brought together the key performances, top athletes, major controversies, and improbable victories of the games. Organized chronologically, the progression of swimming as an Olympic sport comes to life as the top 25 moments are revealed. The best swimmers in Olympic history are featured throughout, from Mark Spitz and Ian Thorpe to Debbie Meyer and Dawn Fraser.

Dozens of photographs highlight the athletes and their shared passion for swimming glory. Detailed appendixes include the top Olympic medal winners by country and by athlete, and a bibliography provides key swimming references for the reader. Swimming fans, coaches, athletes, and researchers will enjoy this history of a sport rich in tradition and spectacular moments.

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Bibliographic data

Copyright year: 2014
ISBN-Print: 978-1-4422-3699-8
ISBN-Online: 978-1-4422-3700-1
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham
Language: English
Pages: 174
Product type: Book Titles

1. Contents No access
2. Chronology. A Quick Look at the Best Moments in Olympic Swimming History No access
3. Acknowledgments No access
4. Introduction No access
Chapter 1. Welcome the Women No access Pages 1 - 4
Chapter 2. Before He Swung from Vines No access Pages 5 - 8
Chapter 3. The Dawn of Greatness No access Pages 9 - 14
Chapter 4. Meyer’s Gold Mine No access Pages 15 - 18
Chapter 5. Seven for Spitz No access Pages 19 - 26
Chapter 6. Hello and Goodbye No access Pages 27 - 30
Chapter 7. A Matter of Timing No access Pages 31 - 34
Chapter 8. Gulping Down Gold No access Pages 35 - 42
Chapter 9. USA All the Way No access Pages 43 - 48
Chapter 10. Brigitha Breaks Barrier No access Pages 49 - 52
Chapter 11. Political Pawns No access Pages 53 - 60
Chapter 12. Rowdy’s Reaction No access Pages 61 - 66
Chapter 13. A Tie Game No access Pages 67 - 72
Chapter 14. The Best of Biondi No access Pages 73 - 80
Chapter 15. Nesty Nets Gold No access Pages 81 - 84
Chapter 16. The Dragon Slayer No access Pages 85 - 88
Chapter 17. A Tale of Redemption No access Pages 89 - 94
Chapter 18. Gold Medal Guitar No access Pages 95 - 100
Chapter 19. Eric the Eel No access Pages 101 - 104
Chapter 20. A Tie between Teammates No access Pages 105 - 112
Chapter 21. Race of the Century No access Pages 113 - 120
Chapter 22. An Illegal Kickstart No access Pages 121 - 128
Chapter 23. An Anchor’s Way No access Pages 129 - 134
Chapter 24. A Half-Stroke for History No access Pages 135 - 140
Chapter 25. Age Is Just a Number No access Pages 141 - 146
Under Consideration. The Moments That Just Missed No access Pages 147 - 150
Appendix A. The Olympic Games—Years, Sites, and Dates No access Pages 151 - 152
Appendix B. Most Overall Medals—By Country No access Pages 153 - 154
Appendix C. Most Gold Medals—Career No access Pages 155 - 156
Appendix D. Most Medals—Career No access Pages 157 - 158
Appendix E. Most Gold Medals—Single Olympiad No access Pages 159 - 160
Appendix F. Most Medals—Single Olympiad No access Pages 161 - 162
Bibliography No access Pages 163 - 168
Index No access Pages 169 - 172
About the Author No access Pages 173 - 174