Gustavo Borges (BRA)
Honor Swimmer (2012)
FOR THE RECORD: 1992 OLYMPIC GAMES: silver (100m freestyle) 1996 OLYMPIC GAMES: silver (200m freestyle), bronze (100m freestyle); 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES: bronze (4x100m freestyle), 1 WORLD RECORD: 100m freestyle (25m) 1994 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: bronze (100m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle); 1993 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (25m): gold (4x100m freestyle), silver (100m freestyle), bronze (4x200m freestyle) 1995 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (25m): gold (200m freestyle), silver (100m freestyle) bronze (4x200m freestyle); 1997 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (25m): gold (200m freestyle), silver (100m freestyle); 2002 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (25m): silver (200m freestyle); 1991 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: gold (100m freestyle, 4×100 freestyle, silver (200m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle), bronze (50m freestyle); 1995 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: gold (100m freestyle, 200m freestyle), silver (200m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle); 1999 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: gold (200m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle, 4x100m medley), silver (4x200m freestyle), bronze (100m freestyle); 2003 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: gold (4x100m freestyle), silver (4x200m freestyle), bronze (100m freestyle); 1995 FISU GAMES: silver (100m freestyle); 1995 TEN NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Gustavo Borges, at 6 feet 8 inches tall, was often mistaken for a basketball player. However, make no mistake, he is one of the greatest sprint swimmers of all time.
In 1990, at the age of 17, Gustavo left his native Brazil to attend Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, where he swam for Coach Greg Troy, and became fluent in English. Less than a year later, he won the 100 meter freestyle at the Pan American Games in Havana. That medal was the first of a collection that has made him one of Brazil’s most celebrated athletes.
In 1991, he attended the University of Michigan, where he swam under Hall of Fame Coach, Jon Urbanchek. In 1992, Gustavo won the Olympic silver medal in the 100 meter freestyle, finishing second behind Russia’s Hall of Fame great, Alexander Popov. Four years later in Atlanta, he won the bronze medal, this time behind Popov and Gary Hall Junior, who were all within three tenths of a second to each other. That’s how close it was! He also won the silver medal in the 200 meter freestyle behind Danyon Loader of New Zealand. Four years later in Sydney, he helped lead Brazil to a bronze medal in the 4 x 100 meter freestyle.
Borges competed in four Olympic Games, won 12 medals in five FINA World Championships, and set the first FINA recognized 100 meter freestyle short course world record. In four Pan American Games, he won eight gold, six silver and three bronze medals. He is a ten-time individual NCAA Champion, and a member of Michigan’s 1995 NCAA National Championship Team.
Currently, Borges is a successful businessman operating 180 swim schools in Brazil. He serves as vice-chairman of FINA’s Athletes Commission.