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After starting his swimming career at Woodside High School in Redwood City, Jim Naber attended USC, where he won 25 national AAU titles. At USC, he also set a record by winning 10 individual titles and led his team to four undefeated seasons. At the 1976 Olympic Games, he won four gold medals and one […]
Nov 16, 2020 · John Naber has quite the resume in the world of swimming. From swimmer to ambassador to writer to motivational speaker to broadcaster to member of the Olympi...
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Dec 25, 1983 · At the 1976 Olympics, John Naber, a 21-year-old from USC who only began swimming as a freshman in high school, set world records in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke, swam on the world record ...
The favourite was John Naber of the United States, who had broken Matthes' world record at the U.S. Olympic trials as well as beating Matthes in the 100 metre backstroke event five days earlier. Matthes had won the inaugural World Championship in 1973, with Verrasztó second and Naber third; Verrasztó was the World Champion in 1975.
At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, John Naber captured four Gold Medals, one Silver and broke four World Records in swimming. His World marks in the 100 and 200 meter backstroke lasted an amazing seven years after his retirement.
With four gold medals, all in world-record time, and one silver, John Naber was the outstanding swimmer of the Montréal Olympics. His record at every other major championship was equally impressive. At the NCAAs, Naber won 10 individual and five relay titles and at the AAUs, he won 18 individual and seven relay titles.
I recall fondly receiving congratulations from the East German defending champion, Roland Matthes, when I broke his backstroke world record. I also enjoy recalling my time in the warm-down pool with my USC teammate, Bruce Furniss, shortly after we competed against each other in the 200-Meter Freestyle final.
