Author: Rob Marvin

Groundbreaking! Katie Ledecky Goes Sub-15:00 for American Record in 1650-Yard Freestyle at Namesake Meet

by John Lohn – Editor-in-Chief

14 December 2025

Katie Ledecky Goes Sub-15:00 in 1650-Yard Freestyle at Namesake Meet

A few months ago, organizers announced that the Nation’s Capital Invitational was being renamed the Katie Ledecky Invitational, in honor of the distance-freestyle legend who emerged as a future star in Potomac Valley Swimming.

Well, the meet could not have asked for a better way to usher in its new title, as Katie Ledecky – doing what she does best – produced a stunning performance on Sunday night.

Racing the 1650-yard freestyle at the University of Maryland, Ledecky became the first woman to break the 15-minute barrier in the event, clocking a time of 14:59.62. Ledecky’s performance lowered her own American record in the event, which had stood at 15:01.41 since 2023. She is more than 24 seconds faster than the No. 2 performer in history, Erica Sullivan (15:23.81).

It has been another banner year for Ledecky, the four-time Olympic champion in the 800-meter freestyle. Earlier in the year, she set her first world record since 2016 when she covered the 800 freestyle in 8:04.12. That effort was followed by a double in the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle at the World Championships in Singapore. Now, she has broken another barrier by dipping under the 15-minute threshold in the 1650 freestyle.

More than 1500 athletes were expected to compete at the KLI, which was initially named the Tom Dolan Invitational before becoming the NCAP Invite. Athletes from around the Mid-Atlantic Region made up the majority of the swimmers at the University of Maryland, and Ledecky was sure to treat those in attendance on Sunday night with a memory they will never forget.

Ledecky was like a metronome on Sunday evening. After opening with a 25.40 split for her first 50 yards, she settled into a routine of 27-second splits that carried her to the latest sensational achievement of her Hall of Fame career. Until her incredible closing split of 26.12, Ledecky was 27-something on every one of her other splits.

Here is a look at her consistency:

25.40 – 27.44 – 27.56 – 27.49 – 27.48 – 27.29 – 27.24 – 27.39 – 27.39 – 27.28 (4:31.96 at 500 yards)

27.16 – 27.12 – 27.11 – 27.09 – 27.16 – 27.24 – 27.08 – 27.32 – 27.28 – 27.49 (9:04.01 at 1,000 yards – 4:32.05 500 split)

27.38 – 27.38 – 27.51 – 27.55 – 27.34 – 27.37 – 27.52 – 27.58 – 27.50 – 27.66 (13:38.80 at 1,500 yards – 4:34.79 500 split)

27.42 – 27.28 – 26.12

Ledecky is no stranger to barrier-breaking performances. In addition to becoming the first woman to break 15 minutes into the 1650 freestyle, she was the first female to go sub-4:30 in the 500-yard freestyle and was the first woman to go sub-8:10 in the 800-meter freestyle. More, was the first woman to break 15:30 in the 1500 freestyle.

Happy Birthday Craig Beardsley!!

Country: USA

Honoree Type: Swimmer

 FOR THE RECORD: 1980 OLYMPIC GAMES: MEMBER OF THE BOYCOTT TEAM; 1982 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): BRONZE (200M BUTTERFLY); 1979 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: GOLD (200M BUTTERFLY); 1983 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: GOLD (200M BUTTERFLY); 2 WORLD RECORDS: 200M BUTTERFLY (1980, 1981)

As a youngster with burgeoning dreams, Craig Beardsley drew inspiration from what he saw on television from the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games. Athletes such as Mark Spitz, Jim Montgomery and Mike Bruner were headliners for Team USA. One day, Beardsley would be an Olympian, too, racing alongside the best the world had to offer, in pursuit of his sport’s ultimate reward: An Olympic gold medal.

Growing up, Beardsley didn’t have the typical team experience known by many swimmers. The schools he attended, including the prestigious United Nations International School in New York, did not field teams. Upon his family moving to New Jersey, Beardsley began training with the Dolphin Aquatic Club in Ridgewood and his star started to soar. His talent was clear when he won the 8-to-10-year-old title in the 50-yard butterfly at the Bergen County Championships.

By 13, Craig was nationally ranked in his age group in the 200 butterfly, the event which would define his career. There was little doubt that grand days awaited, and his bright future was further developed when Beardsley opted to compete collegiately for coach Randy Reese at the University of Florida.

Beardsley captured a pair of NCAA championships in the 200 butterfly while at Florida and continued to elevate his status to one of the premier performers in the world in his prime event. At the 1979 Pan American Games in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Beardsley captured the gold medal in the 200 fly, winning the event by nearly two seconds. The performance was supposed to set the stage for the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, where Beardsley would be a gold medal favorite.

Sadly, that opportunity was short-circuited by politics. The United States boycotted the 1980 Olympic Games following the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in late 1979. Years of hard work and dedication went unfulfilled, with Beardsley – and his compatriots – having no control of the situation.

At the 1980 Olympics, the Soviet Union’s Sergey Fesenko won gold in the 200 butterfly in a time of 1:59.76. A little more than a week later, while racing at U.S. Nationals, Beardsley obliterated that time with the first world record of his career, an eye-opening mark of 1:58.21 that sliced more than a second off the previous global standard, set at the 1976 Olympics by American Mike Bruner. The performance from Beardsley was a statement of his excellence, and that an Olympic gold should have been his.

While not all boycott-affected American athletes continued on with their careers, Beardsley forged ahead. In 1981, during a dual meet between the United States and the Soviet Union in Kiev, Beardsley lowered his world record in the 200 fly to 1:58.01. That record lasted a little more than two years and, combined with his initial world record, meant Beardsley had the fastest time in the history of the 200 fly for three years.

At the 1982 World Championships, Beardsley was the bronze medalist in his signature event and he followed in 1983 with another gold in the 200 fly at the Pan American Games. Heading into the 1984 Olympic Trials, Beardsley received his chance to compete at the Los Angeles Games. But a third-place finish in the 200 butterfly left him shy of that goal. Shortly after the 1984 Trials, Beardsley retired. 

Craig has been involved with Swim Across America since its founding in 1987, serving in multiple roles while helping to raise money in the fight against cancer.

The information on this page was written the year of their induction

December Featured Honoree:  Ernst Brandsten (SWE/USA) and his Memorabilia

This is the last month that we will feature an Honoree and his memorabilia. We end in December with 1966 ISHOF Honoree, Ernst Brandsten (SWE/USA) Honor Coach. Ernst 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.

1909-1912 Swedish National Championships medals.

Official Springboard Specs.

Ernst competed in the 1912 Olympics, and coached The USA Mens Diving team in the 1920, 1924 and 1928 Olympics. Ernst is the only coach in Olympic History to sweep springboard and platform competitions.

1912 Stockholm Olympic Certificate

Ernst Brandsten

A great BIG THANK YOU to all of you that have already donated to ISHOF for GIVING TUESDAY (December 2) or YEAR END GIVING.  We still have lots of time to add your name and donations, so let’s keep those donations coming!!!

Anderson, Elizabeth

Bernier, Sylvie

Blavatnik, Alex

Burns, Richard

Cagnotto, Franco Giorgio

DeFilippi, Michelle

Dooley, Mike

Dover, Stephen

Gompf, Tom

Hackett, Grant

Hunter, Craig 

Kent, Bill

King, Micki

McFarland, Steve

Mitcham, Matthew

Moe Humphreys, Karen

Payne, Gary

Cristina Pinciroli  

The Pedro Pinciroli Family

Potter, Cynthia and Lasser, Peter

Read, Michael

Sanders, Summer

Schubert, Mark

Skinner, Jonty

Steadman Martin, Nancy

Stoychev, Peter

Thomas, Jay

Thompson, Jenny

Wilson, Craig

Yudovin, Beth

A special THANK YOU to all those ONE IN THOUSAND monthly donors who have been donating every month since at least 2023 and 2024.

Abbott, Dana

Burke-Huyette, Michele

Cleveland, Marcia

Day, Nadine KM

Edwards, R. Morgan

Fagan, John

Gagnon, Caitlin

Geoghegan, Jack

Gompf, Tom

Grilli, Tracy & David

Hardy, John

Israels, Denise

Kroeger, Ken

Leonard, John

Lundquist, Steve and Beth

McAllister, Ian

McElroy, Arvel and Linda

Murray, Craig

Osborn, Ashlee

Powers, Patrick

Ryan, Valerie

Rude-Wilson, Janice

Steele, Bob

Vasallo, Jesse

Wigo, Bruce

White, Jill

Happy Birthday Shane Gould!!

Shane Gould (AUS)

Honor Swimmer (1977)

FOR THE RECORD:  OLYMPIC GAMES: 1972 gold (200m, 400m freestyle; 200m individual medley), silver (800m freestyle), bronze (100m freestyle); WORLD RECORDS: 11 (from 100m to 1500m freestyle); “World Swimmer of the Year”: 1971, 1972.

Shane Gould, in a short but brilliant career, held every freestyle world record and the four stroke 200 Individual Medley.  She broke the oldest record in the books when she beat Dawn Fraser’s 100m World Record at Sydney on January 8, 1972 (58.5).  Fraser had held the record almost 16 years since December 1, 1956.  In one short period form April 13, 1971 until January 8, 1972, Shane set 7 world records.  She was 2nd only to Mark Spitz at the Munich 1972 Olympics in that no female swimmer had ever won 5 individual medals in swimming.

Brian Goodell vs. Vladimir Salnikov: ‘The Duel We Missed’ Receiving Academy Award Consideration

by John Lohn – Editor-in-Chief

21 November 2025

Brian Goodell vs. Vladimir Salnikov: ‘The Duel We Missed’ Documentary Receiving Academy Award Consideration

Documentary films, at their core, take a deep dive into a specific topic. They are detailed. They offer emotion. They introduce engaging characters and storylines. They take the viewer behind a curtain, often revealing elements of a tale that were never before presented, or might have gone overlooked.

“The Duel We Missed” checks those boxes.

View the Trailer

Under consideration by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for a potential Oscar nomination in the documentary category, “The Duel We Missed” thoroughly and emotionally examines a tantalizing showdown that never materialized in the sport of swimming. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the United States’ Brian Goodell and the Soviet Union’s Vladimir Salnikov were the premier distance-freestyle swimmers in the world, and a clash between the men was expected at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.

However, due to political interference, a duel between Goodell and Salnikov – with both men at the peak of their powers – was left to the imagination. “The Duel We Missed” delves deeply into the careers of Goodell and Salnikov, and their shared chase to become the first athlete in history to swim the 1500-meter freestyle in under 15 minutes. The documentary, produced by Bravo Films and directed by Ilnur Rafikov and Edward Staroselsky, also examines several complementary storylines – the political influence and boycotts of the 1980 and 1984 Olympics, athlete mentality, training of the era and the respect developed among individuals with like-minded goals.

At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, where the United States men won all but one gold medal in the 13 events contested, Goodell stormed to victory in the 400 and 1500 freestyle events, world records established in both. In the 1500 freestyle, Goodell was timed in 15:02.40, not far off the 15-minute barrier that was a target. Salnikov, a rising 16-year-old at the time, was fifth in the Montreal final, and while he finished off the podium, his prodigious talent suggested big things to come, including a rivalry with Goodell.

However, in the years ahead, multiple factors prevented Goodell and Salnikov from meeting while the men were at the top of their prowess. Goodell missed the 1978 World Championships, where Salnikov won gold medals in the 400 freestyle and 1500 freestyle, the longer event not far off Goodell’s world record. And as the 1980 Olympics neared, a hammer dropped on a potential duel in Moscow when U.S. President Jimmy Carter announced the United States would boycott the Games due to the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.

Through the use of current-day interviews, highlighted by Goodell and Salnikov, “The Duel We Missed” takes both a wide-ranging and topic-specific look at the era. The feelings of Goodell and Salnikov were repeatedly shared, and their status in the sport was examined, including through the lens of Hall of Fame coach Mark Schubert, who was the mentor of Goodell. Also weighing in were Olympians John Naber and Rowdy Gaines, each sharing a perspective. Naber won three gold medals during his Team USA days and transitioned into a broadcasting career, which allowed him to interact with Salnikov and hear the Soviet star state that he was not a “true champion” without competing in a fully attended Olympic Games.

As for Gaines, now known as the Voice of Swimming for his work with NBC Sports, he provided personal stories about how the boycott impacted his life and career. Ultimately, Gaines returned to training after a brief retirement and won three gold medals at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, and he spoke about seeing his dream through. Yet, Gaines also poignantly discussed the heartache of the Olympic hopefuls who did not get their chance on the biggest stage in sports.

Vladimir Salnikov. Photo Courtesy: Dutch National Archives

The documentary, which was perfectly organized, spanned 1976-1988, as it examined Salnikov dealing with the Soviet Union’s retaliatory boycott of the 1984 Games and his triumphant return to win gold in the 1500 freestyle at the 1988 Games in Seoul. The film also provided footage of Salnikov cracking the 15-minute barrier for the first time, an accomplishment that will live on as a distinguished achievement in the sport.

Among other standout moments from the documentary:

Footage and interviews from a Soviet Union trip to the United States which allowed for training under Schubert’s guidance. The memories shared from this time were genuine and both illustrated respect among athletes, and how the Soviet Union learned about the intensity of Schubert’s workouts in Mission Viejo, California.

Schubert, in this current era, telling Goodell that he wished he had not retired following the boycott, and Goodell stating that he had a few reservations about his decision as the 1984 Games neared.

The playing of the Soviet national anthem following Salnikov’s victory at the 1988 Olympics, one of the final times the anthem was played before the breakup of the USSR. More, the story of Salnikov being lauded by his fellow athletes in the dining hall in Seoul on the night of his 1500 freestyle victory elicited goosebumps, and emphasized the appreciation Olympians share for each other.

The illustrations and graphics used during the documentary were sensational, providing the feel of a comic book and celebrating the individuals and moments featured.

The emotion expressed throughout the 90-minute documentary was tremendous. Tears flowed. Words were sometimes difficult to find. Admiration was constantly evident.

A phone call late in the film between Goodell, Schubert and Salnikov was a wonderful touch, and further emphasized the respect that permeated the film and the careers of all three men.

“The Duel We Missed” is an extraordinary film, exactly what a special documentary should be. Years of work, research and interviews went into making this film and bringing the story of Goodell and Salnikov to viewers. Swim fans, especially those with an understanding of the rich history of the sport, will appreciate it. But casual viewers will also find themselves engaged, enraptured by a story that has emotion, intensity, goal-chasing and more.

Sadly, a showdown between Brian Goodell and Vladimir Salnikov in their prime was missed. But “The Duel We Missed” pays beautiful homage to the athletes and the era, and what might have been.

Michelle Ford, David Theile, Sir Frank Beaurepaire and Matthew Cowdrey Inducted Into Swimming Australia Hall Of Fame

MOSCOW GOLDEN GIRL: Michelle Ford’s magical Moscow gold in the 800m freestyle. Photo Russ McPhedran (Michelle Ford Collection)

by Ian Hanson – Oceania Correspondent

15 November 2025

Michelle Ford, David Theile, Sir Frank Beaurepaire and Matthew Cowdrey Inducted Into Swimming Australia Hall Of Fame

Olympic gold medallists Michelle Ford and David Theile, prolific Paralympic gold medallist Matthew Cowdrey and six time Olympic medallist Sir Frank Beaurepaire have been inducted into the Swimming Australia Hall of Fame.

The 2025 Swimming Australia Awards yesterday celebrated the latest Hall of Fame inductees, recognising the extraordinary achievements of  four legends of Australian Swimming.

Beaurepaire (Dolphin #3), arguably  the greatest freestyler across three decades, breaking 14 world records; Cowdrey (Dolphin #P224) Australia’s most successful Paralympian with 13 gold medals across three Para Games; Australia’s first two-time back-to-back Olympic gold medal winning backstroker Theile (Dolphin #103) and Australia’s only individual Olympic gold medallist from the 1980 Moscoe Games in Michelle Ford (Dolphin #254) –

The foursome joining a who’s who of the sport – initial inductees Freddie Lane, Fanny Durack, Dawn Fraser, Shane Gould and Ian Thorpe (2022); Lorraine Crapp, Murray Rose, Suzie O’Neill (2023) and Boy Charlton, Pfriya Cooper and Kieren Perkins (2024).

DAVID THEILE AO

Born: January 17, 1938

For the record (Olympic Games):        

Melbourne (1956):  Gold (100m backstroke);Rome (1960): Gold (100m backstroke), silver (4x100m medley relay);Queensland and Australian Junior Champion: 1947Australian Champion: 1955.Australian Records: 1955 (100m Backstroke).

BACK-TO-BACK: Australia’d David Theile wins his second Olympic 100m backstroke gold in Rome. Pic tired with US silver medallist Frank McKinney (left) and bronze medallist Bob Bennett.Phoyo Courtesy Wikipedia.

2025 Hall Of Fame David Theile Photo Courtesy Swimming Australia

At the 1960 Rome Olympics, David became the only swimmer other than a freestyler to win gold medals in two successive Olympics since World War II, winning back-to-back 100m backstroke gold medals in both the 1956 Melbourne home Olympics  and 1960 Olympic Games.

He began competitive swimming aged nine and became the Queensland and Australian Junior backstroke Champion at 16, before beginning a five-year reign as the Australian open champion in 1955, at 17.

When Thiele set the Australian 100m backstroke record at 1:07.4 in 1955, he broke a 17-year-old record set in the year he was born – 1938, (1:07.8 by Percy Oliver).

Thiele won the 100m backstroke crown at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics in world and Olympic record time, 1:02.2.  In Rome four years later, he lowered his Olympic record to 1:01.9 for a second gold medal and was part of the Australian silver medal medley relay.

Inducted into Sport Australia Hall Of Fame: 1985

Inducted into International Swimming Hall Of Fame: 1968

David Theile

SIR FRANK BEAUREPAIRE

Born: May 13, 1891; Died: May 29, 1956; Age: 65

For the record (Olympic Games): London (1908) Silver, 400m freestyle; bronze, 1500m freestyle; Antwerp (1920) Silver, 4x200m freestyle relay); bronze, 1500m freestyle); Paris (1924): Silver (4x200m freestyle relay; bronze, 1500m freestyle.World Records (14): 200m, 500m, 1000m, 1 mile freestyle);

FREESTYLE LEGEND: Sr Frank Beaurepaire.Photo Courtesy Herald Sun.

 Often recognised as the greatest swimmer across several eras in the early 1920s, Frank Beaurepaire swam the trudgen stroke in a competitive career that lasted from 1903 to 1924. Winning a total of six Olympic medals, – three silver and three bronze – across three Olympics (1908, 1929, 1924) a span of 16 years. The last – a second bronze in the 1500m behind Australian gold medallist Andrew “Boy” Charlton in Paris, 1924. Beaurepaire was 33.

In a remarkable career, Beaurepaire set five world records from 200m to 500m in 1910, his best year, but was still setting records 11 years later, this time in the 1000m and the mile. In 1910 he toured Europe undefeated.

In all he set 15 world records over a 13-year span, winning 34 Australian titles, 79 Victorian titles and 11 British Championships.

Beaurepaire or “Bogey” as he was known, won more than 200 first class swimming championships and his fastest times were done when he was past 30 and his career could have seen him achieve so much more. He was banned from the 1912 Games for earning money as a swimming teacher, robbing him of further honours, returning to the Olympic stage again in 1920 and 1924.

Beaurepaire became Melbourne’s Lord Mayor and was a principal organizer of the 1956 Olympics.  He died of a heart attack in a barber shop in the middle of a typically full day in May 1956, just 5 months before “his” Olympic Games.

Inducted into Sport Australia Hall Of Fame and Inducted into International Swimming Hall Of Fame in 1967

Sir Frank Beaurepaire

MICHELLE FORD-ERIKSSON MBE

Born: July 15, 1962

For the record….

Olympic Games: Moscow (1980) Gold, 800m Freestyle; bronze, 200m Butterfly); Two World Records (800m freestyle)

Commonwealth Games: Edmonton (1978): Gold, 200m butterfly; silver 400m and 800m freestyle; bronze, 200m freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay);

Brisbane (1982): Gold, 200m Butterfly; silver, 800m freestyle, Won Four Australian National Championships in the 200m butterfly

THRILLED: Michelle Ford on the gold medal podium. Photo Courtesy Russ McPhedran (Michelle Ford Collection)

2025 HALL OF FAME Michelle Ford Photo Courtesy Swimming Australia.

At age 13 Michelle broke nine records, six NSW State and three Australian – all in three days.  Two of those records were by held by Hall of Famer Shane Gould and world champion Jenny Turrall.

That same year she earned a spot on the 1976 Olympic team, the second youngest Australian ever to do so.

Just one year later, Michelle set her first world record in the 800 freestyle.  Little did she know her times in the 800 freestyle would someday beat the times swum earlier by the immortal Murray Rose and John Konrads.

Michelle continued her winning streak at the 1978 Commonwealth Games, taking a gold in the 200 butterfly, two silvers in the 400 and 800m freestyle and two bronze medals in the 200 freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay.

But Michelle Ford’s greatest feat came in the boycotted Moscow 1980 Olympics under extraordinary circumstances following Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan.

Winning the gold medal in the 800 freestyle and conquering the might and power of her East German opponents adding bronze in the 200 butterfly.

A Games that became shrouded in a political firestorm following demands from the Australian government to boycott the Games.

But a defiant Olympic team that left Australian shores in 1980 under a cloak of darkness, heading off to secret training camps receiving death threats and branded as traitors as they prepared for the Games.

Their blazers hidden in their luggage with a coat of arms tucked away rather than sitting proudly on their chests, many of them teenagers, like Michelle Ford, thrust into the middle of a political stoush that would define their sporting futures – but  remaining unrecognised by the Australian Government for 50 years.

“Competing in the Olympics helped define everything I am today,” said Ford who that year was named Amateur Athlete of the Year.

Her name etched in gold in Moscow as an Australian woman did not win another Olympic gold in swimming for 16 years – when Susie O’Neill triumphed the 200m butterfly in Atlanta in 1996.

Inducted into Sport Australia Hall Of Fame: 1985; Inducted into International Swimming Hall Of Fame: 1994

Michelle Ford

MATT COWDREY OAM MP

Born: December 28, 1988

For the record (Paralympic Games): Athens (2004): 3 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze; Beijing (2008): 5 gold, 3 silver; London (2012): 5 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze

Commonwealth Games (3) Melbourne (2006): 2 gold; New Delhi (2010): 1 gold; Glasgow (2014): 1 silver

Inducted into Sport Australia Hall Of Fame: 2019

SIMPLY TGHE BEST: Matthew Cordrey. Photo Courtesy: Swimming Australia

Born with a congenital amputation of his lower arm, Matthew Cowdrey clinched his first Paralympic gold medal as a 15-year-old at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games which launched his decade-long domination in the pool.

Growing into one of the most influential athletes within the Australian Paralympic movement by the time he retired.

In addition to his 23 Paralympic medals (13 gold, seven silver, three bronze), he won 21 medals at three World Championships (16 gold, three silver, two bronze), and broke dozens of world records – his first at just 13.

During Matthew’s prolific eleven-year para-swimming career, his tremendous talent saw him develop into an influential athlete who played an instrumental role in raising awareness of the Paralympic movement within Australia.

His strength in the 100m freestyle and 200m individual medley events earned him 57 international medals including 23 world championship and three Commonwealth Games gold medals.

By his retirement at the age of 26-years-old, Cowdrey had become the most decorated Australian Paralympian in history, with a total of 23 Paralympic medals including 13 gold across three Paralympic Games.

He left para-swimming holding five world records, five Paralympic records and nine short-course world records.

Matthew retired in 2015 at just 26 years old, but even at such a young age, stood as the most prolific Australian Paralympian in history, having won a total of 23 Paralympic medals including 13 gold.

Matt was awarded  the Order of Australia Medal (2005), Australian Paralympian of the Year (2008) and Young South Australian of the Year (2009).

He also established a notable career since the London 2012 Paralympic Games, where he eclipsed Paralympic runner Tim Sullivan’s record of 10 gold medals. Today, Cowdrey is a Member of Parliament for Colton, SA.

2025 Hall Of Fame Matt Cowdrey Photo Courtesy Swimming Australia

Happy Birthday Jason Lezak!!

Country: USA

Honoree Type: Swimmer

FOR THE RECORD: 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (4×100m medley), silver (4×100m freestyle); 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (4×100m medley), bronze (4×100m freestyle); 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (4×100m freestyle, 4×100m medley), bronze (100m freestyle); 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES: silver (4×100m freestyle); 2003 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): gold (4×100m medley), silver (4×100m freestyle); 2005 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): gold (4×100m freestyle, 4×100m medley); 2007 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): gold medal (4×100m freestyle); 2011 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): bronze (4×100m freestyle); 2002 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (SC): gold (4×100m freestyle, 4×100m medley); 2004 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (SC): gold (100m freestyle, 4×100m freestyle, 4×100m medley); 2006 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (SC): silver (4×100m medley), bronze (4×100m freestyle);

From the beginning, Jason Lezak showed great promise in the pool, but he constantly butted heads with his coach, Dave Salo, over his commitment to training. Recruited to swim at UC Santa Barbara, Jason’s problems with authority continued until coach Gregg Wilson finally dismissed him from the team. This was the wake-up call he needed. He loved to swim and compete, and after promising to improve his training habits, he rejoined the team. In his Senior year, he was named Big West Conference Swimmer of the Year,

At the 2000 Olympic Trials, Jason finished fourth in the 100m freestyle. While he failed to qualify individually, his result was good enough to make the 4x100m freestyle relay team, an event Team USA had never lost in the Olympic Games. In Sydney, the Australians pulled off the unexpected upset in their home pool and the USA settled for the silver.

Over the next four years, Jason was the top sprinter in the world, and at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials in Long Beach, he qualified for the Olympic Games in both the 50m and 100m freestyle.

In Athens, the US freestyle relay team was trying to win back the title it had lost in Sydney four years earlier. Instead, they finished third behind South Africa and the Netherlands. The next day Jason did not swim as well as expected and failed to reach the semi-finals. Individually Jason finished fifth in the 50. Success came when he swam the freestyle leg behind Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen, and Ian Crocker to win the medley relay gold medal, in world record time.

In 2006, Dave Salo left Irvine to take the coaching job at USC, leaving Jason without a coach. He began coaching himself and proved by qualifying for his third Olympic Games that he had the discipline to train daily without a team or trainer at his side.

When he finished second in the 100m freestyle at the Olympic Trials in Omaha, he was 32 years old, the oldest male swimmer to make the team and was selected by his teammates as a captain.

At the 2008 Games in Beijing, his first event was the 4x100m freestyle relay. The USA hadn’t won this race since 1996 and this time the USA was not the favorite. That distinction belonged to the team from France, with 100m world record holder, Alain Bernard as its anchorman. Swimming last, and starting nearly a fully body length behind, Jason chased down Bernard in the final 20 yards to win the gold medal by eight-one-hundredths of a second. Jason’s split time of 46.06, is still the fastest 100m split in history.

The next day, Jason won bronze in the 100m freestyle for the first individual Olympic medal of his career. On the final day of competition, he anchored the USA’s world record setting medley relay that gave Michael Phelps his historic eighth gold medal.

Continuing to swim on his own after Beijing, Jason passed up the opportunity to compete in the World Championships to participate in the Maccabiah Games in Israel, where he won four gold medals and celebrated his heritage as a Jewish athlete.

In 2012, at the age of 36, Jason qualified for his fourth Olympic team by finishing sixth at the Olympic Trials in the 100 free. In London, he swam in the preliminaries and helped earn a spot in the final for the silver medal winning U.S. team. In doing so, he became the first male swimmer in Olympic history to win four medals in the same event, in the 4×100m freestyle relay, in four consecutive Olympic games.

Jason ended his Olympic career with a total of eight medals, four gold, two silver and two bronze. Today, Jason is a proud husband and father of three and a popular motivational speaker who is successfully balancing his family life with business opportunities.

The information on this page was written the year of their induction

Throwback Thursday: When Cesar Cielo Captured Olympic Gold and the Beautiful Emotional Aftermath (Video)

by John Lohn – Editor-in-Chief

06 November 2025, 01:29am

In this edition of Throwback Thursday, we look back at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, when Brazilian Cesar Cielo confirmed his status as the world’s fastest man in water. It was a night that also featured a flood of emotions.

The easy part was the race, as crazy as that suggestion sounds. From experience, Cesar Cielo knew exactly what he needed to do to claim an Olympic title. Nail the start. Execute the breakout. Stay strong through the finish. Over and over, Cielo and coach Brett Hawke reviewed the finer details of the 50-meter freestyle.

So, as Cielo stepped onto the starting block for the final of the one-lap sprint at the Water Cube, the 21-year-old was awash in confidence. In peak form, Cielo eased through the preliminary round as the second-fastest performer, and then delivered the top mark of the semifinals. At that point, a little more than 21 seconds separated Cielo from completing a dream that only a few athletes realize.

Blazing a time of 21.30, Cielo comfortably mined gold. The Brazilian’s mark handed him a decisive triumph over silver medalist Amaury Leveaux of France, who touched in 21.45, and bronze medalist Alain Bernard, whose performance of 21.49 gave France two athletes on the podium.

A standout at Auburn University, Cielo advanced to the final of the 50 freestyle at the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne, finishing sixth. That showing proved Cielo belonged with the elite sprinters in the sport, and he was able to take his dominance in the American collegiate ranks and turn it into Olympic gold.

“I did it. It was my best race ever,” Cielo said in Beijing. “Today was my lucky day. The sun shone on me. I’m so overwhelmed with emotion. I gave up a lot for this medal. I never saw my family.”

The difficult part of the evening, in the most endearing way, was Cielo’s battle with his post-race emotions. As he stood on the podium and watched the Brazilian flag rise to the rafters as his nation’s anthem played, Cielo was overjoyed. He, too, was overcome, with tears streaming down his cheeks and sobs jolting his body.

Cognizant of the moment, the fans inside the venue rallied around Cielo. Some clapped. Some cheered. All provided support. Earlier in the evening, Cielo wowed those in attendance with a brilliant outing, and now the fans were going to applaud his talent and pay him back by carrying the Brazilian through the medals ceremony.

World records and induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame also dotted Cielo’s career, a legendary span that elevated the world of sprinting. That night in Beijing was a special highlight.

Read Cesar Cielo’s bio here

Cesar Cielo 

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