- Source: Rowdy Gaines
Ambrose "Rowdy" Gaines IV (born February 17, 1959) is an American former competitive swimmer, U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame member, three-time Olympic gold medalist, and member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He is referred to as "The Voice of Swimming", has covered swimming at the Olympic Games since 1992 in Barcelona and is currently a swimming analyst for television network NBC.
Early life
Gaines was born in Winter Haven, Florida to Jettie Ann and Ambrose "Buddy" Gaines, who met there as water skiers at Cypress Gardens in the 1950s. Gaines tried several sports during his teenage years, but turned to swimming as a Winter Haven High School junior at age 17. He received a swimming scholarship to Auburn University. At Auburn, he became a five-time NCAA champion under the training of head coach Richard Quick.
Career
From 1978 to 1984, Gaines set 10 world records. At the time, he was the world record holder in the 100-meter and 200-meter freestyles. The 1980 boycott prevented Gaines from competing at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Gaines said the boycott came at a time when he considered himself at his peak, and that he believed he missed an opportunity for four gold medals.
Gaines qualified for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. He won gold in the 100-meter freestyle and two gold medals for relays, swimming the anchor legs for the U.S. team in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay and 4×100-meter medley relay.
Gaines said he experienced mental health issues after missing out on the 1980 Games and had "some real trouble post-Olympics, and...some big struggles, especially the year after."
Commentating
He began covering swimming for NBC at the Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics. He also was the analyst at the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics, the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics, the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, the London 2012 Summer Olympics, the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics held in 2021, and the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. Gaines announced on Instagram that the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics will be his last, announcing his retirement to be a full time grandfather.
At the 2011 Short Course Masters Nationals, Gaines broke his national record in the 50–54 division 50 yard freestyle (21.36). On July 16, 2011, Gaines broke the 50–54 Age Group record in the long course 100m freestyle with a time of 54.6.
Gaines is the executive director of Rowdy’s Kidz, a wellness initiative developed and supported by The Limu Company that reaches out to children across the country.
Gaines and his wife, Judy, reside in Lake Mary, Florida, with their four daughters.
Awards
International Swimming Hall of Fame
U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
Florida Sports Hall of Fame
Southeastern Conference Athlete of the Year 1981
1982 McDonald's Spirit Award
2007 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award
Golden Goggle Awards, Alumni of the Year: 2024
See also
List of members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
List of Auburn University people
List of multiple Olympic gold medalists
List of multiple Olympic gold medalists at a single Games
List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men)
List of World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming (men)
World record progression 50 metres freestyle
World record progression 100 metres freestyle
World record progression 200 metres freestyle
World record progression 4 × 100 metres freestyle relay
World record progression 4 × 100 metres medley relay
World record progression 4 × 200 metres freestyle relay
References
Bibliography
Caraccioli, Jerry, & Tom Caraccioli, Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, New Chapter Press, Washington, D.C. (2009). ISBN 978-0-942257-54-0.
De George, Matthew, Pooling Talent: Swimming's Greatest Teams, Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham, Maryland (2014). ISBN 978-1-4422-3701-8.
External links
Rowdy Gaines at PMG Sports at the Wayback Machine (archived May 23, 2009)
Gaines' Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary essay Archived July 16, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
Rowdy Gaines at the Team USA Hall of Fame (archive June 24, 2023)
Rowdy Gaines at Olympics.com
Rowdy Gaines at Olympedia
Rowdy Gaines on WISH-TV
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