Matt Biondi, who was born October 8th 1965, is an American former
competition swimmer, Olympic
champion, former world record-holder and swimming legend. Biondi competed in
the Summer Olympic Games in 1984, 1988 and 1992, winning a total of eleven medals (eight gold, two silver and one
bronze). During his career, he set seven individual world records (three in the
50-meter freestyle and four in the 100-meter freestyle). Biondi is a member of
the International Swimming Hall
of Fame and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame.
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| Matt Biondi |
Matt started his career in the pool as a swimmer and a
water polo player in his hometown. His sprint abilities showed up during his
early teen years and during his senior year in high school he broke the
national high school record in the 50 yard freestyle (20.40). After that, he
accepted a scholarship to attend the University of Berkeley, to swim and play
water polo.
During his first Olympic games (1984, Los Angeles) he
participated with the U.S. 4 x 100 m freestyle relay and won the gold medal in
a world record time. During his second Olympic games (1988, Seoul) he won five
gold medals, one silver and one bronze. His race where he won the silver medal
(100 m butterfly) was one of the oddest defeats ever. While approaching the
wall for his finish, he was caught between strokes and decided to glide instead
of taking another stroke. We all know now that he made the wrong decision as he
was edged out by Anthony Nesty of Surinam by just 0.01 sec. In Barcelona (1992)
he managed to win three more medals (two gold, and one silver) and then he
decided to end his swimming career.
Matt graduated from the University of California, Berkeley,
in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Economy and Industrialized
Societies. He also earned his master degree in education at the Lewis and Clark
College in Portland, Oregon in 2000. At the moment he teaches math and coaches
at Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles. An interesting fact is that in last’s
year November he decided to race again at the Southern Pacific Masters Swimming
long course meters Championships. It’s really great for all swimming lovers
around the world to have him back in the pools.
Image source: [1]
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