Don Schollander

In 1964, American Don Schollander became the first swimmer to win four gold medals at one Olympic Games. His victories came in the 100 and 400 metre freestyles and in both relays, and in all but the 100 metres he set a world record. He was unfortunate that the 200 metres was not on the program at the Tokyo Games as he eventually set nine world records between 1963 and 1968 at this, his best distance. Schollander also posted three world records at 400 metres and shared in eight world records in the freestyle relays. At the 1968 Games he was unable to defend his 100 metres and 400 metres Olympic titles as he failed to make the U.S. team at these distances, but he won his fifth gold in the 4 x 200 metres relay and took the silver in the 200 metre freestyle. His other titles included three golds at the 1967 Pan-American Games, in the 200 free and both relays, and the following AAU Outdoor titles: 110 yards – 1964, 1966-67; 200 metres/220 yards – 1962-64, 1966-67; and 440 yards – 1963-64 and 1966.