Rowdy Gaines Biography

Rowdy Gaines didn’t try his hand at swimming until he was a junior in high school; he quickly succeeded in the new sport and even earned a scholarship for swimming to Auburn University. Gaines developed quickly under Auburn swimming coach Richard Quick and went on to become a 5 time NCAA Champion throughout his time at Auburn. Gaines was heavily favored to win multiple golds at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow but the United States went on to boycott the Games. Gaines retired from the sport following graduation, thinking his Olympic dreams were over but was urged to come out of retirement in order to qualify for the 1984 Olympics in L.A. He qualified for the Games with not very impressive times and was very under the radar to win any medals. He went on to win the gold medal in the 100 meter freestyle and two more as the anchor in both the 4x100 freestyle and 4x100 medley relay teams. Following his swimming career, Gaines began a career as a TV analysts, calling the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics as well as being a swimming analyst for ESPN. Gaines was elected into the International Swimming Hall of Fame and is the chief fundraiser for USA Swimming. 

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