Jesse Vassallo
Encyclopedia
Jesse Vassallo is a Puerto Rican Olympic and World Record holding swimmer. He swam in international competitions for the United States
and qualified for two-Olympic teams: 1980 and 1984
. In 1997, he became the first Puerto Rican to be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame
. From 2004-February 2009, he served as President of the Puerto Rican National Swimming Federation (Federación Puertorriqueña de Natación (FPN)) .
to the Vassallo family. He received his primary education in Cristo Rey School in Ponce. His father, Victor Vassallo, who is the brother of the late Puerto Rican industrialist Salvador Vassallo
, was very sports-minded and encouraged his children to participate in sports. On one occasion, while relaxing by a hotel
pool
in San Juan
, Vassallo's father asked his sons to compete against some girls that were swimming laps in the pool. The father was impressed with what he saw and as soon as he returned to Ponce, he enrolled them in a local swimming team.
swimming record. In 1975, he won his first gold medal in backstroke at the Medley Relay, held in Colombia
. Vassallo's father moved his family to Miami, Florida
, where he was to open a branch of the family business, Vassallo Industries
. Within three years, Vassallo held various records:
Vassallo already ranked among the top ten in the world in three of the events.
, where he completed his secondary studies. He went to train with Mark Schubert
, who would later become the coach of the USA Swimming Team
. In 1976, Vassallo wanted to participate in the 1976 Summer Olympics
, which were held in Montreal, Canada, representing Puerto Rico, but he couldn't due to a ruling of the Puerto Rican Olympic Committee that stated that "in order to represent Puerto Rico, a person must have resided in the island for at least a year" (currently, this rule requires for a person to reside for three years before becoming a member of a Puerto Rican national sports team). He did however, participate in his first U.S. Swimming Nationals at Philadelphia and won his first national title and a national gold medal in the 1,500 meters freestyle.
In 1977, Vassallo began to travel with the U.S. team, winning medals in New Zealand
, the Netherlands
and France
. In 1978, Vassallo broke his first record in the 400 meters trials for the 1978 World Championships to be held in Berlin, Germany. In Berlin, he broke his record again and won two gold medals and one silver medal. In 1979, Vassallo broke his third world record in the 200 meters and won gold in the 1979 Pan American Games
, held in San Juan. During the gold medal ceremony, Vassallo produced a small Puerto Rican flag which resulted in the entire crowd at the Escambron Aquatic Center singing the Puerto Rican national anthem "La Borinqueña
". Vassallo's experiences in the 1979 Games were highlighted in the 1980 documentary A Step Away
. Also in 1979, he graduated from high school and was placed in the list of the top ten athletes in the world, along with Muhammad Ali
, Mario Andretti
and others by Sports Illustrated
magazine.
Vassallo was unable to attend the 1980 Olympics
held in Moscow, Russia because of the boycott imposed by President Jimmy Carter
. He competed in another competition held in the U.S., which were held at the same time as the Moscow Olympics. Vassallo made better time in the 200 and 400 meters at the competition than the two gold medalists in Moscow.
. A knee
injury which required surgery, practically ended his career. He graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications. That same year he returned to Puerto Rico, where he met his future wife, Betsy Lopez, sister of the Atlanta Braves
baseball star Javy López
and of Puerto Rican volleyball
superstar Elaine Lopez. After working in his family business in Ponce for three years, Vassallo and his brothers opened "Vassallo Unlimited". This company is a producer of solid surface materials which are used in the construction industry.
. Among the other honors which have been bestowed upon him are being inducted into the Japanese Swimmers Hall of Fame; the University of Florida
's Hall of Fame; the Puerto Rican Hall of Fame and the Ponce Hall of Fame. Vassallo has also appeared on the covers of "The Olympian
", "Sports Illustrated", and "Swimming World Magazine
" among others. He is also recognized at Ponce's Park for the Illustrious Ponce Citizens. As of mid-2009, Vassallo is Head Age Group Coach for Fort Lauderdale Aquatics in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and qualified for two-Olympic teams: 1980 and 1984
Swimming at the 1984 Summer Olympics
Swimming at the 1984 Summer Olympics, held at the McDonald's Olympic Swim Stadium, located on the USC campus. There was a total of 494 participants from 67 countries competing.-Medal table:-Men's events:-Women's events:-References:...
. In 1997, he became the first Puerto Rican to be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame
International Swimming Hall of Fame
The International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame, located at One Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of swimming in the United States and around...
. From 2004-February 2009, he served as President of the Puerto Rican National Swimming Federation (Federación Puertorriqueña de Natación (FPN)) .
Early years
Vassallo (birth name: Jesús David "Jesse" Vassallo Anadón), was the third child of five siblings, born in Ponce, Puerto RicoPonce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
to the Vassallo family. He received his primary education in Cristo Rey School in Ponce. His father, Victor Vassallo, who is the brother of the late Puerto Rican industrialist Salvador Vassallo
Salvador Vassallo
Salvador V. Vassallo, a.k.a. "Chiry", was the president and CEO of Vassallo Industries, headquartered in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The company produces PVC injection moulded and extruded goods, and markets them worldwise....
, was very sports-minded and encouraged his children to participate in sports. On one occasion, while relaxing by a hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
in San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, Vassallo's father asked his sons to compete against some girls that were swimming laps in the pool. The father was impressed with what he saw and as soon as he returned to Ponce, he enrolled them in a local swimming team.
Swimming competitions
In 1971, when he was only 10 years old, he broke a 50 meter backstrokeBackstroke
The backstroke, also sometimes called the back crawl, is one of the four swimming styles regulated by FINA, and the only regulated style swum on the back. This has the advantage of easy breathing, but the disadvantage of swimmers not being able to see where they are going. It is also the only...
swimming record. In 1975, he won his first gold medal in backstroke at the Medley Relay, held in Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. Vassallo's father moved his family to Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, where he was to open a branch of the family business, Vassallo Industries
Salvador Vassallo
Salvador V. Vassallo, a.k.a. "Chiry", was the president and CEO of Vassallo Industries, headquartered in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The company produces PVC injection moulded and extruded goods, and markets them worldwise....
. Within three years, Vassallo held various records:
- 100 and 200 meters backstroke,
- 200 and 400 meters individual medley and
- 200 m
Vassallo already ranked among the top ten in the world in three of the events.
U.S. Swimming Team
Vassallo's father moved to Mission Viejo, CaliforniaMission Viejo, California
Mission Viejo is a city located in southern Orange County, California, U.S. in the Saddleback Valley. Mission Viejo is considered one of the largest master-planned communities ever built under a single project in the United States, and is rivaled only by Highlands Ranch, Colorado, in its size...
, where he completed his secondary studies. He went to train with Mark Schubert
Mark Schubert
Mark Schubert has been USA Swimming's National Team Head Coach since June 2009). He took a paid leave of absence from his role with USA Swimming in September 2010....
, who would later become the coach of the USA Swimming Team
USA Swimming
USA Swimming is the national governing body for competitive swimming in the United States. It is charged with selecting the United States Olympic Swimming team and any other teams which officially represent the United States, as well as the overall organization and operation of the sport within the...
. In 1976, Vassallo wanted to participate in the 1976 Summer Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
, which were held in Montreal, Canada, representing Puerto Rico, but he couldn't due to a ruling of the Puerto Rican Olympic Committee that stated that "in order to represent Puerto Rico, a person must have resided in the island for at least a year" (currently, this rule requires for a person to reside for three years before becoming a member of a Puerto Rican national sports team). He did however, participate in his first U.S. Swimming Nationals at Philadelphia and won his first national title and a national gold medal in the 1,500 meters freestyle.
In 1977, Vassallo began to travel with the U.S. team, winning medals in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. In 1978, Vassallo broke his first record in the 400 meters trials for the 1978 World Championships to be held in Berlin, Germany. In Berlin, he broke his record again and won two gold medals and one silver medal. In 1979, Vassallo broke his third world record in the 200 meters and won gold in the 1979 Pan American Games
1979 Pan American Games
The 8th Pan American Games were held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from July 1 to July 15, 1979. The capital of Puerto Rico played host to 3,700 athletes from 34 countries competing in 22 sports, making the VIII Pan American Games the largest to date. Security was a concern due to turmoil over the...
, held in San Juan. During the gold medal ceremony, Vassallo produced a small Puerto Rican flag which resulted in the entire crowd at the Escambron Aquatic Center singing the Puerto Rican national anthem "La Borinqueña
La Borinqueña
La Borinqueña is the official anthem of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. After Puerto Rico became the "The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico" in 1952, the first elected governor, Luis Muñoz Marín, signed law #2 of July 24, 1952 that stated that the musical composition known as "La Borinqueña" was to...
". Vassallo's experiences in the 1979 Games were highlighted in the 1980 documentary A Step Away
A Step Away
A Step Away is an Official Olympic Film, a documentary filmed during the VIIIth Pan American Games held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from July 1 to July 15, 1979. It was produced and directed by Roberto Ponce and co-directed by Marcos Zurinaga. The English language narrator was Orson Welles and de...
. Also in 1979, he graduated from high school and was placed in the list of the top ten athletes in the world, along with Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
, Mario Andretti
Mario Andretti
Mario Gabriele Andretti is a retired Italian American world champion racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR...
and others by Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
magazine.
Vassallo was unable to attend the 1980 Olympics
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
held in Moscow, Russia because of the boycott imposed by President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
. He competed in another competition held in the U.S., which were held at the same time as the Moscow Olympics. Vassallo made better time in the 200 and 400 meters at the competition than the two gold medalists in Moscow.
Retirement
After traveling and competing around the world, Vassallo moved to Miami and enrolled in the University of MiamiUniversity of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
. A knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
injury which required surgery, practically ended his career. He graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications. That same year he returned to Puerto Rico, where he met his future wife, Betsy Lopez, sister of the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
baseball star Javy López
Javy López
Javier López Torres is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Atlanta Braves , Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
and of Puerto Rican volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
superstar Elaine Lopez. After working in his family business in Ponce for three years, Vassallo and his brothers opened "Vassallo Unlimited". This company is a producer of solid surface materials which are used in the construction industry.
Legacy
In 1997, Vassallo was the first Puerto Rican to be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of FameInternational Swimming Hall of Fame
The International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame, located at One Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of swimming in the United States and around...
. Among the other honors which have been bestowed upon him are being inducted into the Japanese Swimmers Hall of Fame; the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
's Hall of Fame; the Puerto Rican Hall of Fame and the Ponce Hall of Fame. Vassallo has also appeared on the covers of "The Olympian
The Olympian
The Olympian is a McClatchy newspaper in Olympia, Washington, in the United States.-History:The Olympian started in 1860 as "The Washington Standard" a weekly paper. Daily papers did not start until February 1889. The Olympian started daily service as a way to lead the crusade to make Olympia the...
", "Sports Illustrated", and "Swimming World Magazine
Swimming World magazine
Swimming World Magazine is an American-based monthly swimming magazine, that was first published in a magazine format as Junior Swimmer in January of 1960...
" among others. He is also recognized at Ponce's Park for the Illustrious Ponce Citizens. As of mid-2009, Vassallo is Head Age Group Coach for Fort Lauderdale Aquatics in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, on the Atlantic coast. It is the county seat of Broward County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,521. It is a principal city of the South Florida metropolitan area, which was home to 5,564,635 people at the 2010...
.
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- World record progression 200 metres medleyWorld record progression 200 metres medleyThe first world record in the 200 metres individual medley in long course swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation in 1956, followed by the women a year later...
- World record progression 400 metres medleyWorld record progression 400 metres medleyThe first world record in the 400 metres individual medley in long course swimming was recognized by the International Swimming Federation in 1957, followed by the women a year later...