Rowdy Gaines

Biography

Throughout the 1980s Rowdy Gaines was the fastest swimmer on the planet. His world records confirmed his place in swimming history. The Olympic Boycott of 1980 came during the peak of his career, when he set world records in the 100 and 200-meter freestyles and Swimming World Magazine voted him World Swimmer of the Year. He was predicted to win five Olympic gold medals in Moscow.

After a brief retirement, the allure of competing proved too strong, and he returned to the pool, where the consummate technician resumed his attack on the record books. At the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, no swimmer won more races than he did with his three gold medals in the 100 meter freestyle, the 4x100 meter freestyle and medley relays.


In 1991, the swimming world was shocked to hear that Rowdy had contracted Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves. Partially paralyzed for over a month, Rowdy fought back and overcame the disorder with the love and support of family, the swimming community and knowledgeable medical professionals. "Swimming literally saved my life, my doctors explained, that my lung capacity from swimming spared me from breathing with a respirator". One year later he went on to the World Masters Championships and won the glamorous 50 and 100 meter events.

Ambrose "Rowdy" Gaines IV... best known around the world as Rowdy Gaines... was the fastest man in swimming throughout the early 1980s. At the peak of his career and heavily favored to win five gold medals at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, the U.S. boycott denied him that chance. At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, he was not expected to medal but instead capped his phenomenal career with three gold medals and two world records. Displaying his intense perseverance and incredible competitive drive, Rowdy's swimming accomplishments are truly remarkable:


  • 8 - Time NCAA Champion
  • 22 - Time NCAA All American
  • 17 - Time National Champion
  • 8 - Time Pan Am Games Champion
  • 11 - Time World Record Holder
  • 5 - Time World Champion
  • 3 - Time Olympic Gold Medalist

Known as the voice of swimming, he has worked with CBS, TNT and ESPN as a regular announcer for swimming and other events, and called his fourth Olympic telecast for NBC at the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece. He will again be part of the NBC broadcast team in 2008 for the Beijing Olympics.

Rowdy resides in Colorado Springs, CO and is currently the Executive director of Rowdys kids with The Limu Company. . He and his wife Judy have four children: Emily, Madison, Savanna and Isabelle.

Today, Gaines is often referred to as "Swimmings Greatest Ambassador." Maybe life goes on without the Olympics, but not for the fastest swimmer on Earth. His determination to compete in Los Angeles in 1984 and his stellar success mark Rowdy Gaines as one of the world's most dedicated, ambitious athletes and symbolizes the American quest for more than gold.