Matt Biondi's story

Matt Biondi, who was born October 8^th 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.

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.

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