Celtics Star Jaylen Brown Details Partnership with ISHOF Honoree Dara Torres, Boston College
by Matthew De George – Senior Writer
19 October 2025
Celtics All-Star forward Jaylen Brown incorporated an aquatic regimen to his offseason this year, working with Boston College coach Dara Torres.
Brown discussed the training during a recent interview with NBC Sports Boston on the Celtics preseason media day.
Celtics athletic trainer Drew Moore reached out to BC to see if someone on Torres’ staff would be interested in helping one of their players. It turned out to be Brown, the four-time All-Star and 2024 NBA Finals MVP.
Torres, a 12-time Olympic medalist about to start her second season as the head coach of the Eagles’ men’s and women’s teams, volunteered. She worked first with Brown in a therapy pool at the Celtics’ Auerbach Center team complex before relocating to BC’s Margot Connell Recreation Center pool about two miles away.
Brown went from a couple of workouts with Torres and assistant coach Chris Morgan to several weeks of multiple days of training.
“Just to perfect my form in the water,” Brown said. “Try to master your efficiency, no wasted movement. I feel like the better swimmer you are is an analogy to life. You don’t want no wasted movement, no drag, no extra. You want to just be able to get from Point A to Point B as easy as possible.”
Brown, who turns 29 this month, stands 6-6 and 223 pounds. He’s been remarkably durable in his NBA career since the Celtics took him No. 3 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft out of Cal, playing in at least 57 games in all nine of his pro seasons, though he was recovering this summer from surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his knee.
He averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 63 games last season, perhaps somewhat hampered by the meniscus. He has averaged 19.3 points in 135 career playoff games, winning an NBA title in 2024.
He and Torres worked on learning new techniques with apparatuses like fins and snorkels. Torres was impressed by his aerobic capacity to start with as well as his attention to detail. Brown had a fixation on making sure he was improving his technique in each workout.
“He could see the mistakes that he made at the beginning, and then the corrections that he made afterwards,” Torres said. “You can see how much more efficient he was as he made those changes.”
Video of Brown’s training and his interview is available at NBC Sports Boston.
Every Child A Swimmer Continuing to Grow – New York added ~ California up next!
Creating a Unified National Message: Together We’re Turning Awareness into ActionDrowning remains the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1–4—and it is entirelypreventable. The Every Child a Swimmer (ECAS) program is changing that reality by advancinglegislation nationwide that gives parents the life-saving knowledge they need to keep childrensafe in and around water.
Originally passed in Florida in 2021, the Every Child a Swimmer law requires that parents orguardians receive water safety information at the time of school enrollment. This simpleapproach ensures families are educated about risk factors associated with drowning, theimportance of swim lessons, and where to find local resources. By turning schools into trustedmessengers for prevention, this legislation helps close the awareness gap that too often leadsto tragedy.
Since its passage in Florida, the ECAS model has gained extraordinary momentum. Georgia,Arkansas, New Mexico, Arizona, Washington State, and now New York and California have allenacted or adopted versions of the Every Child a Swimmer legislation. Each new law representsanother life-saving victory—and another step toward creating a generation of safer, strongerswimmers.
A Milestone Moment in New YorkOn September 26, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed New York’s “Every Child a Swimmer” billinto law, making the state the latest to join this vital movement. Beginning in the 2026–2027school year, every New York school will provide parents with water safety information atenrollment—an initiative expected to reach millions of families statewide.
“This is a monumental victory for every child and family in New York,” said Brendan O’Melveny,Founder of the New York Water Safety Coalition, the group that championed the bill. “We’reproud that New York has become one of the first states to join this national effort to protectour children.”
Casey McGovern, Executive Director of the Every Child a Swimmer Foundation, shared heartfeltgratitude for the collaboration that made the law possible: “Drowning is preventable, and thislaw is a powerful step forward in educating parents about the risk factors and providing themwith the knowledge to keep their children safe. Together, we are changing the narrative andbuilding a generation of safer, stronger swimmers.”
Legislative sponsors Senator Cordell Cleare and Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelynwere also recognized for their leadership in championing this life-saving measure. SenatorCleare noted that the law “will be empowering in many ways, including by addressing the greatinequity in drowning incidents that disproportionately affects Black children, youth, andadults.”
The growing success of Every Child a Swimmer reflects the power of unity—among publicofficials, nonprofits, advocates, aquatics industry, and the pool industry—working togethertoward a shared purpose. As McGovern emphasizes, “This is about accountability, equity, andimpact—ensuring all families, regardless of circumstance, have access to life-saving educationand resources.”
As California prepares to implement its newly signed version of the bill, ECAS and its partnersremain committed to one goal: expanding this legislation across all 50 states.We are deeply grateful to every community partner helping us create a unified message ofprevention, education, and hope—because every child deserves the chance to be a swimmer.
Dive Into Purpose: Local Leaders Unite Philanthropy, Health, and Water Safety at ISHOF
On November 18th, the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) will host Dive Into Purpose — an evening that brings together leading voices in philanthropy, health, and education for a powerful roundtable conversation on giving with impact.
Presented by Fiduciary Trust International (FTI), the event will feature leaders from the Dan Marino Foundation, Every Child a Swimmer (ECAS), the Community Foundation of Broward, and the Autism Society of Florida. Together, they’ll explore how collaboration across causes like autism support, children’s health, and water safety can create meaningful, lasting change.
Set against the backdrop of ISHOF’s signature Dive Show, and attended by many of South Florida’s most engaged philanthropists, Dive Into Purpose will highlight how partnerships between nonprofits, community leaders, and the private sector can inspire generosity and strengthen our community.
“This evening is about bringing people together who care deeply about making a difference — and showing what happens when we align philanthropy with purpose,” said Matt McKean, Wealth Director at Fiduciary Trust International and event moderator. “It’s an opportunity to spark ideas, connect changemakers, and inspire a culture of giving.”
“We’re honored to host this event at ISHOF, which sits at the heart of our community’s legacy in swimming and water safety,” said Amy Cumming, Executive Director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. “By joining forces with organizations like the Dan Marino Foundation and ECAS, we can extend that mission to reach even more families.”
The Olympic Showdown Of Matt Biondi and Tom Jager in Inaugural 50 Freestyle (Video)
by JOHN LOHN – EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Olympic Showdown Of Matt Biondi and Tom Jager in Inaugural 50 Freestyle
There is something special about being identified as the fastest person on the planet in a specific endeavor. Usain Bolt, the Jamaican track legend, holds the distinction on land. In the water, the honor currently belongs to Brazilian Cesar Cielo.
From the mid-1980s into the early 1990s, there was no doubt about the fastest men in the pool. Outside of one another, the United States’ Matt Biondi and Tom Jager had no peers. Instead, they volleyed ownership of the 50-meter freestyle back and forth. During that timeframe, they combined for nine world records (six for Jager) and took the record in the one-lap sprint from 22.40 to 21.81.
They battled at the World Championships and at Nationals on several occasions, but it was their showdown at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul that defined their rivalry. With the event on the Olympic program for the first time, Biondi and Jager each had the chance to make history. Ultimately, it was Biondi who stood on the top step of the podium.
Although Jager was the reigning world champion, having defeated Biondi in 1986 in Madrid, there was little separating the Americans as they prepared to race. An argument could be made, however, that Biondi had greater momentum based on his march toward seven medals (five gold) in Seoul.
Off the blocks in Seoul, Biondi and Jager were deadlocked, and found themselves in a showdown when they hit the midway point. But as the race unfolded, Biondi was strongest down the stretch and touched in a world-record time of 22.14. That performance sliced .04 off the previous standard, the 22.18 produced by South African Peter Williams earlier in the year. Williams was ineligible to compete at the Seoul Games due to the International Olympic Committee’s ban of his nation due to its apartheid practices. That ban was lifted ahead of the 1992 Olympics.
Jager, who went on to retain his world title in 1991, picked up the silver medal in 22.36, with the Soviet Union’s Gennadiy Prigoda the bronze medalist in 22.71. At the touch, Biondi looked to the scoreboard and unleashed a wild celebration that included several fist pumps and splashes. It was clear the triumph was long desired.
“The 50 free was it for me,” Biondi said during a past interview with Swimming World. “I have a picture of my reaction and it was the most jubilant I’d ever been. It was a world record. That swim made it for me.”
Happy (Official) Columbus Day!!
Photo Credit Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images
Article by: British Swim School
October 13 is the official anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas.
And this day would not have happened if Columbus had not known how to swim…
Columbus went to sea when he was about 10 but the first voyage he made into the Atlantic Ocean was in 1476 when he was 25 years old. The ship he was on was attacked by French privateers who set the ship on fire. Columbus escaped by jumping overboard and swimming to the coast of Portugal. Privateers were sailors whose government gave them permission to attack merchant ships, sort of like pirates but acting with the okay of their government. Having gotten safely to Portugal, Columbus settled there and married a Portuguese woman. However, when he suggested the idea of sailing west to find a route to the East Indies, the Portuguese king and queen were not impressed. Neither were the rulers in Genoa or Venice. Finally, he was able to persuade the king and queen of Spain to give him the money to buy three ships. And the rest is history….
But to get back to the swimming. Some people in the 1400’s could, and did, swim but many did not including many sailors. Columbus had grown up by the sea so he probably had plenty of opportunities to learn how to swim and he must have been a strong swimmer. The distance from his ship to the shore must have been daunting.
So if Columbus had not known how to swim, October 12 would be just another day.We hope you never have to jump off a burning ship but knowing how to swim can be life saving even if you are not under attack by privateers. Who knows what events might be possible if you learn how to swim?
Say what you want about Christopher Columbus, but at least he knew how to swim.
Every Child a Swimmer: Creating a Generation of Swimmers
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4, yet it is entirely preventable. Every Child a Swimmer (ECAS) is committed to changing that. Our mission is simple but powerful: to ensure that every child, regardless of financial means, has access to life-saving swim lessons and water safety education.
Through our learn-to-swim scholarship program, we provide 12–20 professional lessons in small class sizes, ensuring measurable progress with every session. These lessons don’t just teach the basics of swimming, they build confidence, instill lifelong safety skills, and create a ripple effect that protects entire families and communities. In 2024 alone, ECAS awarded more than $587,000 in scholarships, giving 2,135 children the skills to survive and thrive in the water. We also work closely with caregivers to stress the importance of continued swim education, and many of our partner schools provide free swim time to scholarship recipients so they can strengthen their skills in a safe environment.
But our impact doesn’t stop at the pool. ECAS is also driving change through legislation. We have successfully passed water safety education laws in Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Arizona—with New York and California currently awaiting gubernatorial signatures. These laws require schools to share vital water safety information with parents and connect families to local swim resources—helping us reach more communities than ever before. Together, we are creating a generation of swimmers, ensuring that children grow up not just near the water, but safe around it.
How You Can Get Involved
Everyone can play a part in saving lives:
Be an Ambassador: Share the ECAS mission with your network.
Host a Fundraiser: From 5Ks and golf outings to movie nights, your creativity fuels our mission.
Spread Awareness: Start the conversation—because you never know when it could save a life.
Sponsor a Child:
Together, we can make sure that until every child can swim, our mission isn’t finished.
Learn more at everychildaswimmer.orgFollow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn @Every Child a Swimmer
October Featured Honoree: Tsuyoshi Yamanaka (JPN) and his Memorabilia
Photo of Tsuyoshi Yamanaka doing his handprints at his induction in 1983
Each month ISHOF will feature an Honoree and some of their aquatic memorabilia, that they have so graciously either given or loaned to us. Since we are closed, and everything is in storage, we wanted to still be able to highlight some of the amazing artifacts that ISHOF has and to be able to share these items with you.
We continue in October 2025, with 1983 ISHOF Honoree, Tsuyoshi Yamanaka (JPN) Honor Swimmer. Tsuyoshi, donated many fabulous things to ISHOF, and we want to share some of them with you now. Also below is his ISHOF Honoree bio that was written the year he was inducted.
1964 Japan Olympic Team Blazer
Tsuyoshi Yamanaka Diploma
ISHOF Honoree Rebecca Adlington ‘Cautiously Overjoyed’ As She Announces Pregnancy
by Liz Byrnes – Europe Correspondent
24 September 2025
Double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington is “cautiously overjoyed” as she reveals news of her pregnancy following two miscarriages.
Adlington shares son Albie, two, with husband Andy Parsons and daughter Summer, 10, with ex-husband and former swimmer Harry Needs and described her pregnancy as a “small miracle” in a social media post.
Adlington lost a baby at 12 weeks in 2022 and suffered a second miscarriage at 20 weeks a year later after which she gave birth to her daughter Harper two days after being told there was no heartbeat.
The 36-year-old posted a picture of her scan to social media with a post that read: “We want to share that we are expecting a child. It has been an emotional and physical rollercoaster navigating these past 19 months of trying, but this pregnancy has been a small miracle.
“We questioned whether we wanted to share this news but we want to continue to be open and honest about our journey and be mindful of the struggles that others have had and continue to have.
“We are taking each day as it comes and are incredibly grateful for the care we are receiving from the NHS (Rainbow Team) and are feeling overwhelmingly supported by them.
“While we are cautiously overjoyed, we carry awareness of the quiet struggles many face, and we send love to those hearts too. We know so many people are still waiting for this kind of news.”
Adlington was the gold medalist in the 400 freestyle and 800 freestyle at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Seoul Anniversary: When the Backstroke Went Rogue – How Underwater Power Changed the Event
Daichi Suzuki at the 1988 Seoul Olympics after winning gold in the 100-meter backstroke Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki
by John Lohn – Editor-in-Chief
24 September 2025
On Sept. 24, 1988, the final of the men’s 100 backstroke at the Olympic Games in Seoul unfolded. The event featured underwater power never seen before.
Call it a game of hide and seek, an approach that left the coaches and officials on the deck guessing as much as the spectators who occupied the venue’s seats. When would they surface? Who would come up first? What kind of advantage would be created? How much late-race damage would the strategy inflict?
Daichi Suzuki and David Berkoff at the 1988 Seoul Olympics Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki
It was at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul where Japan’s Daichi Suzuki, in a battle with American David Berkoff and the Soviet Union’s Igor Polyansky, raced to the gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke while submerged for nearly half of the race, including the opening 30 meters.
How that moment arrived is a tale in itself.
Ahead of His Time
When Jesse Vassallo’s career is measured, it is always viewed from a what-if standpoint. Although not alone in the robbery he experienced—with politicians serving as the thieves—Vassallo was among the most impacted individuals by the United States boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. As a triple medalist at the 1978 World Championships, with gold medals earned in the 200 meter backstroke and 400 IM, Vassallo was expected to go to Moscow and shine on his sport’s biggest stage.
Instead, Vassallo was victimized by the decision of President Jimmy Carter to use America’s Olympic athletes as political pawns. In protest of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan, Carter somehow thought not sending an Olympic team to Moscow would send a message. And in a way, a message was sent: Carter basically suggested that the athletes’ years of dedication and hard work were meaningless.
Photo Courtesy: Chris Georges
For Vassallo, who was at the peak of his career, the boycott robbed him of the opportunity to put forth the greatest performances of his career. Exacerbating the situation was the fact that his world-record time in the 400 IM would have won gold by more than two seconds, and his best time in the 200 back would have won the silver medal. Instead? Nothing.
As much as Vassallo is remembered for being denied the possibility of Olympic glory, he is also remembered as an innovator. In a sport frequented by giants, Vassallo was an anomaly, an athlete who could hold his own on the global stage despite standing only 5-feet-9-inches. The main negative of being on the small side—and in lanes next to more powerful swimmers—was being tossed around in his opposition’s wake. So, Vassallo got an idea.
“I decided to do the underwaters coming off the starts, and it worked pretty well,” Vassallo said in the documentary, How the Dolphin Kick Changed Swimming Forever. “After that, I continued to develop it and use it in my turns and stuff like that. I might be the one that originated and started this, but (others) really took it through to the Olympic level.”
The decision by Vassallo to utilize his underwater talent as an answer to a problem might have been innocent in its development. Ultimately, it eventually changed the sport.
A Game-Changing Innovation
The flirtation with an extended underwater approach may have proven beneficial for Vassallo, but it didn’t immediately catch on as a mainstream methodology. Still, there were a handful of athletes who dabbled with the tactic. Among them was Japan’s Suzuki, who raced underwater for the first 25 meters of the preliminaries of the 100 backstroke at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Suzuki, though, failed to advance to the final, which consequently left his willingness to try a unique strategy temporarily lost on the rest of the world.
Daichi Suzuki launching into the 100-meter backstroke at the 1988 Seoul Olympics Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki
While Suzuki did not benefit from his unorthodox style at the Los Angeles Games, Berkoff recognized the potential of extended time spent underwater. A solid backstroker when he started his Harvard University career under Coach Joe Bernal in 1985, Berkoff spent more and more time experimenting with the dolphin kick, learning that he was faster underwater than on top of it. With the new approach fueling him, Berkoff saw his performances quicken, to the point where he set an NCAA record in the 100-yard backstroke in 1987.
In the long-course pool, Berkoff honed his skill to a point in which he could remain underwater for 35 to 40 meters. Although oxygen debt certainly played a role for those racing underwater for lengthy periods, the advantage it provided offset the down-the-stretch struggles that arose. For Berkoff, the strategy led to a pair of world records at the 1988 United States Olympic Trials, where he became the first man in history to break the 55-second barrier in the 100 meter backstroke. After going 54.95 in prelims, Berkoff came back with an effort of 54.91 in the final, and he immediately became the man to beat for gold in Seoul, with the “Berkoff Blastoff” becoming his calling card.
“When I first did it my freshman year, a lot of coaches ridiculed it,” Berkoff said as a collegiate athlete. “They said, ‘You’re going to die the last lap.’ But I’ve expanded it every year. I don’t think it’s for everybody, but it’s going to change the whole idea of backstroke sprinting.”
Seoul Showdown
Once the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul rolled around, extended underwaters were the norm, as footage of the 100 backstroke final shows five of the eight finalists surfacing beyond 25, and in some cases, 35 meters. But make no mistake. The final was undoubtedly a battle between Berkoff, Suzuki and Polyansky.
Following a world-record swim of 54.51 in the preliminaries, Berkoff reaffirmed his status as the favorite in the final. At the midway point, Berkoff was in control, the gold medal within reach off the strength of 35 meters underwater. But Suzuki and Polyansky were within striking distance, also having spent the majority of the first lap submerged.
Daichi Suzuki with his gold medal on the podium at the 1988 Olympics Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki
With each stroke, Suzuki and Polyansky closed the gap between themselves and Berkoff, with Suzuki pulling ahead in the final strokes to prevail in 55.05. The silver went to Berkoff (55.18), just ahead of Polyansky (55.20). Given his prelim performance, Berkoff’s setback was a surprise, the upset nature of sports revealing itself.
When Suzuki touched the wall ahead of Berkoff, thus completing his comeback triumph, he became the first Japanese Olympic champion in the pool since 1972. It was in Munich that Nobutaka Taguchi (100 breaststroke) and Mayumi Aoki (100 butterfly) stood atop the podium at a meet best known for the exploits of Mark Spitz and Shane Gould.
Suzuki has since gone on to hold several prominent roles in the sporting world, from president of the Japanese Swimming Federation to commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency. However, the future Hall of Famer still remembers the intensity of the moment in Seoul, and how he dealt with the pressure of an Olympic final.
“Just before starting the race, I transformed into a warrior,” Suzuki said in an Olympic Channel documentary. “In my mind, all I desired in that moment was to be No. 1. I was in the third lane. As you know, there is a short presentation (before the race), and you greet the public by waving. As I walked, I noticed that my legs were shaking, and I realized how nervous I was. Next to me, there was David Berkoff in the fourth lane. I saw his face, and he looked more nervous than me. It made me think I wasn’t the only one feeling nervous, so maybe I had a chance to win.”
Indeed, that was the outcome.
Suzuki may have captured the gold medal in the biggest backstroke showdown in Seoul, but Berkoff and Polyansky each earned a moment of their own on the top of the podium. While Berkoff led off the United States’ world-record-setting 400 medley relay in the second-fastest time ever (54.56), Polyansky captured the gold medal in the 200 backstroke.
Changing the Rules
Photo Courtesy: Swimming World Archive
Not pleased that the backstroke had become more of an underwater race than one that measured the athletes on their prowess in the discipline, FINA instituted a rule shortly after Seoul that limited backstrokers to 10 meters underwater off the start and turns. The decision, as soon as it was enacted, was a punishment for athletes like Berkoff, who had been revolutionary not just from an athletic standpoint, but from a creative perspective.
“I’m very upset by what FINA did,” said Berkoff of the ruling. “It’s completely ludicrous. It doesn’t really affect me because I decided a year ago that I would retire. But for future swimmers, the kids who started doing this, it’s a shame. I ruffled (FINA’s) feathers. They smacked me on the head. They said, ‘Things are not going to be as easy as you want, David.’ I did something to their game. I thought of it before they did.
“It was frustrating to put four years of your life on the line in Seoul, and after you’re so successful there, to turn around and say you can’t do that anymore is discouraging. That took a lot of trial-and-error and hard work. Their knee-jerk reaction was a slap in the face and an insult. That pushed me over the edge as far as getting out of the sport.”
In 1991, FINA changed the rule to 15 meters, and after three years of retirement, Berkoff returned to the sport and qualified for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. In his second Olympiad, Berkoff didn’t just capture a bronze medal in the 100 back, but proved he was more than an underwater performer and someone who found a loophole to reign among the best in an event. Rather, Berkoff was a phenomenal backstroker, both underwater and on top of it.
A Chapter to Remember
While Jesse Vassallo gently pioneered the extended underwater technique in the late 1970s and early 1980s, David Berkoff took the approach to its greatest heights in the late 1980s. Meanwhile, Daichi Suzuki also recognized the technique as highly beneficial, and used its adoption to become an Olympic champion.
Innovations in the sport will always be remembered. Goggles, starting blocks, lane lines and interval training have all influenced athletes’ abilities to get faster through the years. In the backstroke, it is critical to remember an era, although brief, that witnessed a handful of athletes take an outside-the-box approach toward improvement.
Sydney 25th Anniversary: When ISHOF Honoree Pieter van den Hoogenband Took the 100 Freestyle Into Sub-48 Territory
by John Lohn – Editor-in-Chief
20 September 2025
Twenty-five years since the Olympic Games too place in Sydney, we celebrate the greatness of Pieter van den Hoogenband. The Dutchman produced a Hall of Fame career that featured seven Olympic medals, including three gold, and landed him enshrinement into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2013.
Sometimes, the topics of our World Record Flashback series are easy to select, as there is a predominant performance from an athlete to highlight. At times, the decision-making process is difficult, given the multiple squares of greatness on the Bingo card of success. See Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky as examples.
In the case of Pieter van den Hoogenband, the Dutch standout offered two options for this series. As the Olympic movement ventured into the 2000s, with Sydney serving as host, van den Hoogenband was nothing short of phenomenal during his trip Down Under, as he unassumingly became an Olympic champion.
If we chose the 200-meter freestyle as the focal point of this piece, it would have made sense. After all, over four laps is where van den Hoogenband upset Australian Ian Thorpe, the hometown favorite and poster boy of the Sydney Games. But that triumph has received its due through the years, so it seemed fitting to recognize the occasion when van den Hoogenband cracked the 48-second barrier in the 100 freestyle.
The 100 freestyle has long been considered the Blue-Ribbon event of the sport, dating back to the early days of the 20th century, when Charlie Daniels and Duke Kahanamoku etched their names in the history books. They were followed by the dominance of the legendary Johnny Weissmuller, with greats such as Don Schollander, Michael Wenden, Mark Spitz, Matt Biondi and Alexander Popov eventually claiming Olympic glory over the two-lap discipline.
As experts analyzed the Sydney Games and the podium challengers across the schedule, van den Hoogenband was certainly accorded medal-contender status in the 100 freestyle. As an 18-year-old at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, “Hoogie” announced his presence on the global stage. Behind a pair of fourth-place outings in the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle, van den Hoogenband just missed the podium, but established the framework for the stellar career that would follow.
In the years between Atlanta and Sydney, VDH became a multi-time European champion, his skill molded by coach Jacco Verhaeren. It was a matter of time before that excellence extended from the continental level to worldwide dominance.
While he wasn’t the overwhelming favorite for gold in the 100 free upon his arrival in Sydney, that label changed when van den Hoogenband set a world record (1:45.35) in the semifinals of the 200 freestyle. He then equaled that global standard to upend Thorpe in the final and became the man to beat for the two-lap event. VDH’s defeat of Thorpe was a shock moment, since the Aussie teen was widely expected to sweep the 200 free and 400 free. Indeed, Thorpe delivered in the longer distance, but the Dutch star had a surprise prepared for the 200 free.
Van den Hoogenband still faced a gauntlet in the 100 freestyle, specifically the tandem of Russia’s Alexander Popov and Australian Michael Klim. Popov was the two-time defending champion, having claimed Olympic crowns in 1992 and 1996. More, he entered the week as the world-record holder at 48.21.
Meanwhile, Klim was riding a wave of momentum and had the full support of the Australian crowd. On the opening night of action, his leadoff leg of 48.18 propelled Australia to gold in the 400 freestyle relay, a title which handed the United States its first Olympic loss in the event. Klim’s time also broke Popov’s world mark and enhanced the plot of the 100 freestyle
One night after toppling Thorpe in the 200 freestyle, van den Hoogenband eased through his preliminary heat of the 100 freestyle in 48.64. That effort was the lone sub-49 marker of the opening round and good for the top seed entering the semifinals, where van den Hoogenband figured to do just enough to assure a center lane for the final. Yet, as was the case in the semifinals of the 200 free, the Flying Dutchman opted to press the pace – at a level never before seen.
Unlike many of his rivals, van den Hoogenband did not boast a hulking physique. A 6-3, 175-pounder, he possessed a wiry frame, with a concave chest that paid dividends in the water. Van den Hoogenband and the Dutch coaching staff often noted that his build resembled the hull of a catamaran and created less drag.
Racing in the second semifinal at the Sydney Aquatic Centre, van den Hoogenband turned in an opening lap of 23.16 and came home in 24.68. Today, sub-25 closing performances are the norm, with Kyle Chalmers and David Popovici having been 24-low. But van den Hoogenband was ahead of his time with his closing speed, and his competition paid the price.
Via his world record of 47.84, van den Hoogenband sliced .34 off what Klim managed a few days earlier in relay duty. Forever, VDH would go down in history as a barrier breaker, joining Jim Montgomery (sub-50 in 1976) and Matt Biondi (sub-49 in 1985) in swimming lore.
In the final, van den Hoogenband could not match his speed from the semifinals, but still comfortably prevailed. His time of 48.30 was nearly a half-second adrift of his newly minted world record, but well ahead of Popov’s mark of 48.69 for the silver medal, and the 48.73 of American Gary Hall Jr. for the bronze. Locked out of the medals was Klim, who could not replicate his relay heroics in the 100 freestyle and finished fourth in 48.74.
Van den Hoogenband was minimalistic in the assessment of his work.
“I won two gold medals and broke two world records,” he said. “At this moment, I am the best.”
For good measure, van den Hoogenband capped his trip to Sydney with a bronze medal in the 50 freestyle. Clocking 22.03, the Dutchman finished just behind the American tandem of Anthony Ervin and Hal Jr., who shared the gold medal in 21.98. For “Hoogie,” that additional piece of hardware was a surprise, as he touched the wall ahead of sprint specialists such as Popov, Bart Kizierowski and Mark Foster.
Four years later, when the Olympic Games returned to their birthplace of Athens, van den Hoogenband repeated as champion of the 100 freestyle and earned silver in the 200 freestyle, with Thorpe exacting revenge from Sydney. More, his world record endured for more than seven years and remains a superb time in the present day.
“At the end of the day (we had one major goal): To break 48 seconds for the 100 freestyle,” Verhaeren said. “We didn’t say we wanted to win, or we want to do this and that. Of course, the likelihood when you do that is winning. But we wanted to be the first athlete to break 48 seconds and we’d go from there.”
The job was done.