What U.S. Olympians won gold in the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics? There are a few Swimmers that made this list.

Barry Werner, List Wire

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 3:08 PM EDT·

1 min read

Fifty years ago, the United States was celebrating its bicentennial. North of the border, in Montreal, the 1976 Summer Olympics were held. Team USA won 34 gold medals, and some of those names resonate to this day. Overall, Team USA finished third in the medal count behind the Soviet Union and East Germany. Who were the USA Olympians in 1976 that came home with gold?

Mike Bruner: 200M butterfly

Interior of the magnificent swimming pool built in Montreal in preparation for the 1976 Olympic Games.

Bruce Furniss: Men’s 200M freestyle

British Royals Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II wave to crowds from the back of their car as they tour the Olympic Village.

Men’s 200M freestyle

John Naber: 100M and 200M backstroke

USA swimmers Peter Rocca and John Naber with their silver and gold medals for 100m backstroke, and Roland Matthes of East Germany with his bronze medal.

Jennifer Chandler: 3M springboard

The stadium scoreboard during the opening ceremony of the 1976 Summer Olympics.

Donald Haldeman: Shooting, Trap

Trap competition at an Olympic Games.

Brian Goodell: 1,500, 400M freestyle

Projections cover the pool ahead of the men’s 400-meter individual medley final.

1,500, 400M freestyle

John Hencken: 100M breaststroke

A look at the pool inside Lucas Oil Stadium which is set to host the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Lanny Basham: 50 meter rifle, three positions

General view during men's 50m rifle three position final competition. — General view during men’s 50m rifle three position final competition.

50 meter rifle, three positions

Matt Vogel: 100M Butterfly

100 meter butterfly swim.

Swimming relay: Men’s 4 X200M freestyle

John Naber stands in the pool and reacts to setting a world record.

Phil Boggs: 3M springboard

A general view as competitors warm up on the 10-meter platform and 3-meter springboard before U.S. Olympic Diving Team Trials.

Swimming relay: Men’s 4X100

American swimmer John Naber during the 1976 Montreal Olympics, at which he won four gold medals.

Edwin Moses: 400M hurdles

Edwin Moses running a lap of honor at the Montreal Olympics after winning the final of the 400 meters hurdles final. pi

Mac Wilkins: Discus

Mac Wilkins prepares to do the discus.

Edmund Coffin: Individual eventing

Eventing Jumping.

Equestrian: Team eventing

American actor and singer Telly Savalas (center) is amongst the spectators at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada, July 1976.

Jim Montgomery: 100M freestyle

Americain swimmer Jim Montgomery.

Rod Strachan: 400M individual medley

Swimmers dive into the pool during prelims for the U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials.

Swimming relay: Women’s 4X100M freestyle

A look at the pool set to host the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for USA Swimming.

Men’s basketball

Summer Olympics basketball final between USA and Yugoslavia in Montreal.

Arnie Robinson: Long jump

Andy Sythe waters the long jump pit prior to the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field.

Darrell Pace: Archery, men’s individual

General view of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada.

Luann Ryon: Archery, women’s individual

A view of the living quarters designed for the athletes at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Bruce Jenner: Decathlon

Bruce Jenner of the USA celebrates during his record setting performance in the decathlon in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada.

Track and field: Men’s 4X100M relay

American athletes Steve Riddick, Harvey Glance, John 'Lam' Jones (partially obscured behind Glance), and Millard Hampton, the United States men's 4x100 meters relay team. — American athletes Steve Riddick, Harvey Glance, John ‘Lam’ Jones (partially obscured behind Glance), and Millard Hampton, the United States men’s 4×100 meters relay team.

Track and field: Men’s 4X400M relay

A runner holds a baton before starting a race.

Leon Randolph: Flyweight boxing

A detail image of the timekeeper ringing the bell to signal the beginning of a round.

Howard Davis: Lightweight boxing

Howard Davis of the USA in action during a bout against Tzvetan Tzvetkov of Bulgaria.

Ray Leonard: Light welterweight

American light welterweight boxer Sugar Tay Leonard jubilating after winning the final of his boxing tournament.

Michael Spinks: Middleweight boxing

Michael Spinks holds his hands up in victory after he retains his IBC heavyweight title by beating Larry Holmes.

Leon Spinks: Light heavyweight boxing

American Leon Spinks knocks down Sexto Soria of Cuba, winning the gold.

John Peterson: Freestyle wrestling, 82KG

USA wrestler John Peterson holds his opponent's hands on the podium of the wrestling freestyle 82 kg competition. — USA wrestler John Peterson holds his opponent’s hands on the podium of the wrestling freestyle 82 kg competition.

This article originally appeared on The List Wire: USA Olympians who won gold medals in 1976 Summer Olympics