Three-time 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines continues to be one of the biggest names in swimming even into his 50’s. Earlier today, at a Masters competition in Osaka, Japan, Gaines broke the 50-54 Age Group record in the long course 100m free in 54.6. That clips the old mark that was set by another American, Bob Bugg, in 2009. The old record was 54.94.
Gaines is now both the short course and long course record holder for the 50-54 age group in the 100 free. Gaines also previously held the overall FINA World Record in the 100 free from 1981-1985.
Gaines has been a specimen of fitness into his 50’s, and his incredible fitness was credited for his full recovery from Guillain-Barre Syndrome that left him paralyzed for two months in 1991. After recovering, he qualified for the 1996 Olympic Trials, which at the time made him the oldest male swimmer to do so (that honor now belongs to 39-year old Steve West, who at this year’s TYR Meet of Champions qualified for the 2012 London Trials in the 200 breaststroke).
Bob Bugg is seeded at 56.11 at LC Nats in Auburn, and unforntunately Rowdy is not in the lineup. They’re both pretty amazing if you ask me.
I’m curious, what were his splits for that race?
Unfortunately, it appears that Japanese Masters Swimming makes you pay to see a book of full results…Based on past results, I’d bet it’s about a 1-second spread between 50’s. So something like 26.8-27.8. I’ll let you know if I can figure out splits.
It’s from his 100 free gold swim in LA in 1984. 100% positive.
Correct, it is from 1984. Maybe the most famous picture of Rowdy floating around…
Correct me if I’m wrong, but Susan (Rapp) VonderLippe qualified for two events at the 2008 Olympic Trials. She is six months older than I am and I was 42 in 2008. No doubt Steve West is a great swimmer but I don’t think he’s the oldest swimmer to qualify for Olympic Trials!
Male swimmer*. Dara Torres, after all, already has her 2012 cut in the 50 free.
Come on guys hahaha. That’s one from the 1980s
He looks already old in the picture, so I’m assuming it’s pretty recent.
But yeah, he is still in amazing shape!
Please, pardon my ignorance, but when is that photo of him from?
Is that the LA Olympics or the recent Masters in Japan??
I’m assuming it’s the former (or somewhere around that time), but if it is, he hasn’t changed too much, I must say.
A testament to his great fitness!
I enjoy his commentaries as well.