Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics
Encyclopedia
The 1972 Summer Olympics
were held in Munich, West Germany
, 29 events in swimming
were contested. There was a total of 532 participants from 52 countries competing.
Perhaps the most spectacular athletic events were in swimming
. Mark Spitz
of the United States had a spectacular run, lining up for seven events, winning seven Olympic titles and setting seven world records. The seven world records in a single Olympic meet was tied by Michael Phelps
in 2008. According to the official Olympic website, "He took part in the 4x200 m one hour after his final in the 100 m butterfly. As for the 200 m freestyle gold, it was his third medal in three days" http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/past/index_uk.asp?OLGT=1&OLGY=1972.
On the women's side of the competition, Shane Gould
of Australia
won 5 medals. She won the 200 m and 400 m freestyle as well as the 200 m individual medley, each with a new world record time. In addition, she won the silver and the bronze in the 800 m and 100 m freestyle, respectively.
In terms of records, the Olympic record was broken at least once in all 29 events. In 20 of those events, there was a new world record set.
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
were held in Munich, West Germany
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, 29 events in swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
were contested. There was a total of 532 participants from 52 countries competing.
Perhaps the most spectacular athletic events were in swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
. Mark Spitz
Mark Spitz
Mark Andrew Spitz is a retired American swimmer. He won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, an achievement only surpassed by Michael Phelps who won eight golds at the 2008 Olympics....
of the United States had a spectacular run, lining up for seven events, winning seven Olympic titles and setting seven world records. The seven world records in a single Olympic meet was tied by Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps
Michael Fred Phelps is an American swimmer who has, overall, won 16 Olympic medals—six gold and two bronze at Athens in 2004, and eight gold at Beijing in 2008, becoming the most successful athlete at both of these Olympic Games editions...
in 2008. According to the official Olympic website, "He took part in the 4x200 m one hour after his final in the 100 m butterfly. As for the 200 m freestyle gold, it was his third medal in three days" http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/past/index_uk.asp?OLGT=1&OLGY=1972.
On the women's side of the competition, Shane Gould
Shane Gould
Shane Elizabeth Gould, MBE is an Australian former swimmer who won three gold medals, a silver and bronze in 1972 Summer Olympics. It was the greatest performance by an Australian at a single Olympics.-Biography:...
of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
won 5 medals. She won the 200 m and 400 m freestyle as well as the 200 m individual medley, each with a new world record time. In addition, she won the silver and the bronze in the 800 m and 100 m freestyle, respectively.
In terms of records, the Olympic record was broken at least once in all 29 events. In 20 of those events, there was a new world record set.
Medal table
| 1 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 43 | |
| 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 10 | |
| 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 9 | |
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | |
| 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 6 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| 8 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Men's events
| 100 m freestyle | 51.22 (WR) | 51.65 | 51.77 | |||
| 200 m freestyle | 1:52.78 (WR) | 1:53.73 | 1:53.99 | |||
| 400 m freestyle | 4:00.27 (OR) | 4:01.94 | 4:02.64 | |||
| 1500 m freestyle | 15:52.58 (WR) | 15:58.48 | 16:09.25 | |||
| 100 m backstroke | 56.58 (OR) | 57.70 | 58.35 | |||
| 200 m backstroke | 2:02.82 (WR) | 2:04.09 | 2:04.33 | |||
| 100 m breaststroke | 1:04.94 (WR) | 1:05.43 | 1:05.61 | |||
| 200 m breaststroke | 2:21.55 (WR) | 2:23.67 | 2:23.88 | |||
| 100 m butterfly | 54.27 (WR) | 55.56 | 55.74 | |||
| 200 m butterfly Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics - Men's 200 metre butterfly The men's 200 metre butterfly event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place August 28. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Medalists:-Heats:... |
2:00.70 (WR) | 2:02.86 | 2:03.23 | |||
| 200 m individual medley | 2:07.17 (WR) | 2:08.37 | 2:08.45 | |||
| 400 m individual medley | 4:31.98 (OR) | 4:31.98 | 4:32.70 | |||
| 4×100 m freestyle relay | David Edgar David Edgar (swimmer) David Edgar is an American swimmer and Olympic champion. Edgar won seven NCAA championships while competing for the University of Tennessee and was named "Fastest Man Afloat" by Sports Illustrated magazine .He competed at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, where he received a gold medal in 4... John Murphy John Murphy (swimmer) John Joseph Murphy is a former backstroke and freestyle swimmer from the United States, who won the gold medal in the men's 4×100m freestyle relay at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany. At the same tournament, the 19-year old also collected a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke.-... Jerry Heidenreich Jerry Heidenreich Jerry Heidenreich was an American swimmer and Olympic champion. He competed at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, where he received a gold medal in 4×100 m medley relay, and a gold medal in 4×100 m freestyle relay. He received a silver medal in 100 m freestyle, and a... Mark Spitz Mark Spitz Mark Andrew Spitz is a retired American swimmer. He won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, an achievement only surpassed by Michael Phelps who won eight golds at the 2008 Olympics.... |
3:26.42 (WR) | Vladimir Bure Vladimir Bure Vladimir Valeryevich Bure is a retired Soviet Olympic swimmer and a fitness coach for the New Jersey Devils of the NHL. Bure is the father of NHL players Pavel and Valeri Bure.-USSR:... Viktor Mazanov Viktor Aboimov Igor Grivennikov |
3:29.72 | Roland Matthes Roland Matthes Roland Matthes is a German Olympic backstroke swimmer.-Swimming career:Roland Matthes is the most successful backstroke swimmer of all times. In a period of seven years he won all backstroke competitions he entered... Wilfried Hartung Wilfried Hartung Wilfried Hartung is a German swimmer. Born in East Berlin, East Germany, he competed for East Germany in the 1972 Summer Olympics and again in the 1976 Summer Olympics... Peter Bruch Lutz Unger |
3:32.42 |
| 4×200 m freestyle relay | John Kinsella John Kinsella (swimmer) John Pitann Kinsella was a standout at Illinois swimming powerhouse Hinsdale Central High School in the late 1960s. As a 16 year-old, he was the silver medalist in the 1500 meter freestyle at the 1968 Summer Olympics, finishing second to U.S. teammate Mike Burton.Kinsella was a member of the gold... Fred Tyler Fred Tyler Frederick Daniel Tyler is an American swimmer and aquatics coach, winner of several high school and college championships and a gold medal in the 4x200 meter freestyle relay at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany.-High school and Indiana University:Fred Tyler began his high school swimming... Steve Genter Steve Genter Steve Genter is a former freestyle swimmer and three-time Olympic medalist. He won the gold medal in the 4x200m Freestyle Relay at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany.-References:* *... Mark Spitz Mark Spitz Mark Andrew Spitz is a retired American swimmer. He won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, an achievement only surpassed by Michael Phelps who won eight golds at the 2008 Olympics.... |
7:35.78 (WR) | Klaus Steinbach Klaus Steinbach Klaus Steinbach is a former World Record holding and Olympic freestyle swimmer from Germany. He swam for Germany at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics.... Werner Lampe Werner Lampe Werner Lampe is a German swimmer and Olympic medalist. He was born in Hannover, and is the brother of Hans Lampe and father of Oliver Lampe. He participated at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal in 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay, and a bronze medal in 200 metre freestyle in... Hans Vosseler Hans Vosseler Hans Vosseler is a German swimmer and Olympic medalist. He was born in Paderborn in Nordrhein-Westfalen. He participated at the 1972 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal in 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay.-References:... Hans Fassnacht |
7:41.69 | Igor Grivennikov Viktor Mazanov Georgi Kulikov Vladimir Bure Vladimir Bure Vladimir Valeryevich Bure is a retired Soviet Olympic swimmer and a fitness coach for the New Jersey Devils of the NHL. Bure is the father of NHL players Pavel and Valeri Bure.-USSR:... |
7:45.76 |
| 4×100 m medley relay | Mike Stamm Tom Bruce Tom Bruce Thomas Edwin Bruce Bruce is a former US swimmer. He attended UCLA and swam in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany; There he won an individual silver in 100m breaststroke, and was part of the team that won gold on the 4x100m medley relay.-References:*... Mark Spitz Mark Spitz Mark Andrew Spitz is a retired American swimmer. He won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, an achievement only surpassed by Michael Phelps who won eight golds at the 2008 Olympics.... Jerry Heidenreich Jerry Heidenreich Jerry Heidenreich was an American swimmer and Olympic champion. He competed at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, where he received a gold medal in 4×100 m medley relay, and a gold medal in 4×100 m freestyle relay. He received a silver medal in 100 m freestyle, and a... |
3:48.16 (WR) | Roland Matthes Roland Matthes Roland Matthes is a German Olympic backstroke swimmer.-Swimming career:Roland Matthes is the most successful backstroke swimmer of all times. In a period of seven years he won all backstroke competitions he entered... Klaus Katzur Hartmut Flöckner Lutz Unger |
3:52.26 | Erik Fish Erik Fish Erik Fish is a former backstroke swimmer from Canada, who competed for his native country at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany. There he won the bronze medal in the 4x100m Medley Relay, alongside William Mahony, Bruce Robertson, and Robert Kasting.-References:* *... William Mahony Bruce Robertson Robert Kasting Robert Kasting Robert Kasting , but raised in Lethbridge, Alberta is a former butterfly and freestyle swimmer from Canada, who competed for his native country at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. He won the bronze medal in the 4x100m Medley Relay, alongside Erik Fish, Bruce Robertson, and William Mahony... |
3:53.26 |
Women's events
| 100 m freestyle | 58.59 (OR) | 59.02 | 59.06 | |||
| 200 m freestyle | 2:03.56 (WR) | 2:04.33 | 2:04.92 | |||
| 400 m freestyle | 4:19.04 (WR) | 4:22.44 | 4:23.11 | |||
| 800 m freestyle | 8:53.68 (WR) | 8:56.39 | 8:57.46 | |||
| 100 m backstroke | 1:05.78 (OR) | 1:06.26 | 1:06.34 | |||
| 200 m backstroke | 2:19.19 (WR) | 2:20.38 | 2:23.22 | |||
| 100 m breaststroke | 1:13.58 (WR) | 1:14.99 | 1:15.73 | |||
| 200 m breaststroke | 2:41.05 (OR) | 2:42.05 | 2:42.36 | |||
| 100 m butterfly | 1:03.34 (OR) | 1:03.61 | 1:03.73 | |||
| 200 m butterfly | 2:15.57 (WR) | 2:16.34 | 2:16.74 | |||
| 200 m individual medley | 2:23.07 (WR) | 2:23.59 | 2:24.06 | |||
| 400 m individual medley | 5:02.97 (WR) | 5:03.57 | 5:03.99 | |||
| 4×100 m freestyle relay | Shirley Babashoff Shirley Babashoff Shirley Frances Babashoff is a former swimmer from the United States, who set six world records and earned a total of eight individual Olympic medals in her career... Jane Barkman Jane Barkman Jane Barkman is an American swimmer and olympic champion. She competed at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, where she received a gold medal in 4×100 m freestyle, and a bronze medal in 200 m freestyle. She was also part of the American team that won the gold medal in 4×100 m... Jennifer Kemp Jennifer Kemp Jennifer Kemp is an American swimmer and Olympic champion. She competed at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich and won a gold medal in the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay.-References:... Sandra Neilson Sandra Neilson Sandra Neilson-Bell is a former freestyle swimmer from the United States, who won three golden medals as a 16-year old at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany... |
3:55.19 (WR) | Andrea Eife Kornelia Ender Kornelia Ender Kornelia Ender is a former East German swimmer who at the 1976 Summer Olympics became the first woman swimmer to win four gold medals at a single Olympic Games, all in world record times... Elke Sehmisch Gabriele Wetzko Gabriele Wetzko Gabriele Wetzko is a former German swimmer. Born in Leipzig, East Germany, she competed for East Germany in the 1968 Summer Olympics and again in the 1972 Summer Olympics... |
3:55.55 | Gudrun Beckmann Heidemarie Reineck Angela Steinbach Jutta Weber |
3:57.93 |
| 4×100 m medley relay | Melissa Belote Melissa Belote Melissa Louise Belote is an Olympic and former World Record holding backstroke swimmer from the United States. She swam for her native country at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics.... Catherine Carr Catherine Carr (swimmer) Catherine Carr is an American swimmer and Olympic champion. She competed at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, where she received a gold medal in the 100 m breaststroke and a gold medal in the 4 × 100 m medley relay. She now works teaching the fourth grade GATE class at Pioneer Elementary, a... Deena Deardurff Deena Deardurff Deena Deardurff is an American swimmer and Olympic champion, former college swim coach, and a self-identified victim of sex abuse allegedly by her former coach.-Swimming:... Sandra Neilson Sandra Neilson Sandra Neilson-Bell is a former freestyle swimmer from the United States, who won three golden medals as a 16-year old at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany... |
4:20.75 (WR) | Christine Herbst Renate Vogel Roswitha Beier Kornelia Ender Kornelia Ender Kornelia Ender is a former East German swimmer who at the 1976 Summer Olympics became the first woman swimmer to win four gold medals at a single Olympic Games, all in world record times... |
4:24.91 | Gudrun Beckmann Vreni Eberle Silke Pielen Heidemarie Reineck |
4:26.46 |