In Briefs: Rowdy Gaines Breaks Masters World Record in Japan

Three-time 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines continues to be one of the biggest names in swimming even into his 50’s. Earlier today, at a Masters competition in Osaka, Japan, Gaines broke the 50-54 Age Group record in the long course 100m free in 54.6. That clips the old mark that was set by another American, Bob Bugg, in 2009. The old record was 54.94.

Gaines is now both the short course and long course record holder for the 50-54 age group in the 100 free. Gaines also previously held the overall FINA World Record in the 100 free from 1981-1985.

Gaines has been a specimen of fitness into his 50’s, and his incredible fitness was credited for his full recovery from Guillain-Barre Syndrome that left him paralyzed for two months in 1991. After recovering, he qualified for the 1996 Olympic Trials, which at the time made him the oldest male swimmer to do so (that honor now belongs to 39-year old Steve West, who at this year’s TYR Meet of Champions qualified for the 2012 London Trials in the 200 breaststroke).

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PJ
13 years ago

Bob Bugg is seeded at 56.11 at LC Nats in Auburn, and unforntunately Rowdy is not in the lineup. They’re both pretty amazing if you ask me.

13 years ago

I’m curious, what were his splits for that race?

Brian
13 years ago

It’s from his 100 free gold swim in LA in 1984. 100% positive.

Amy Hays
13 years ago

Correct me if I’m wrong, but Susan (Rapp) VonderLippe qualified for two events at the 2008 Olympic Trials. She is six months older than I am and I was 42 in 2008. No doubt Steve West is a great swimmer but I don’t think he’s the oldest swimmer to qualify for Olympic Trials!

Joe Augustine
13 years ago

Come on guys hahaha. That’s one from the 1980s

aswimfan
13 years ago

He looks already old in the picture, so I’m assuming it’s pretty recent.
But yeah, he is still in amazing shape!

Robin
13 years ago

Please, pardon my ignorance, but when is that photo of him from?
Is that the LA Olympics or the recent Masters in Japan??
I’m assuming it’s the former (or somewhere around that time), but if it is, he hasn’t changed too much, I must say.
A testament to his great fitness!
I enjoy his commentaries as well.

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Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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