Anthony Ervin is a two-time Olympian, 2000 Olympic gold medalist, three-time World Champion, and seven-time NCAA champion.
Ervin won gold and silver at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympic Games. In the 4×100 freestyle relay, Ervin swam with Gary Hall Jr., Neil Walker and Jason Lezak. Ervin leadoff with a 48.89, a great swim for him and Team USA. It was not enough. The United States lost to Australia, the first US loss in this event in Olympic history. In the 50 freestyle, Ervin tied Gary Hall Jr. for the gold medal in a time of 21.98.
Ervin retired from competition at 22 years old in 2003. He made a comeback in 2011, a quick return to pro form and top speed. Ervin made the 2012 US Olympic Swim Team in the 50 freestyle. Many swimming analysts believe Ervin would have medaled at the 2012 London Olympics, however, he dislocated his shoulder in the prelims causing him to be reticent in the Olympic final. Ervin suffered a poor start and was last off the blocks. Ervin got 5th place with a time of 21.78.
Ervin is continuing his competitive swimming career with his sights set on the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
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Find Anthony Ervin’s website here.
Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist from the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. He is also the co-founder of SwimSwam. This video series is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com.
Anthony Ervin Tattoo Photos
Olympic Gold Medalist, Anthony Ervin, tattoo photos (Photo Credit: Tim Binning, theswimpictures)
Olympic Gold Medalist, Anthony Ervin, tattoo photos (Photo Credit: Tim Binning, theswimpictures)
Olympic Gold Medalist, Anthony Ervin, tattoo photos (Photo Credit: Tim Binning, theswimpictures)
Olympic Gold Medalist, Anthony Ervin, tattoo photos (Photo Credit: Tim Binning, theswimpictures)
Olympic Gold Medalist, Anthony Ervin, tattoo photos (Photo Credit: Tim Binning, theswimpictures)
Another winner Mel…great work and what a great story. He’s a super cool guy. I saw hime swim at CAL and he was off the hook…keep them coming…
I think it’s a simple question of miles… Anthony Ervin is obviously not like the average athlete. He took 8-9 years off and in the matter of a year and change, he qualified for the Olympic team. His body and talent have simply not deteriorated over the years. He swam faster at London 2012 than he did when he won a gold… to rule him out would be foolish. It’s going to be very interesting how he holds up–and there is one inevitable truth: only time will tell. Go Anthony!
excellent comment
I am impressed with Anthony. His professionalism is equal to the Lezaks and Peirsols from recent years. His talent is unquestioned. His work ethic and attention to detail is consistent with his goals. He wont be the first or the last to be better at 35 than at 20!!! On top of that he is a bright guy with a lot more to offer to the human race than his swimming abilities; however, that swimming talent has certainly provided a great vehicle to teach us all about the impermanence of both perceived success and failure. The real test fro us all is to keep trying!!!
Raw strength does not equal speed in the water…power is relative to body weight and type, and only effectively applied with flexibility and technique. Tony is a freak in the water with incredible talent. He’s in a good place with his swimming and it’s showing in his results. Adrian, Jones, Cielo and any new comers will certainly not be counting him out in 2016…but I suppose you know better.
Go for it. Hope to see Ervin swim in Rio. A year ago Ervin hosted a swim clinic in Camden NJ. And it was one of the best swim clinics ever and it was free!!! It was the best free style clinic.
An SERIOUSLY in CAMDEN????? Live in NE , but used to live outside of Philly… CAMDEN , shudder… dude is a great guy. walks his talk
does it bother anyone else that in the video the guy says “Erving” or “Irving” even though his name for sure does not have a G on the end of it?
The past, present, and future of US sprinting. Who would have thought?! Go Tony!!!!
I think Ervin will make it in 2016. He’s got so much raw speed, and he’s very focused on his health, strength, the pro-swimming / life balance. I think he’ll swim his best races at 35.
Ervin is a great guy, no doubt about it.But i think it will be hard to swim in Rio.I think there is a chance a guy make a time like 21.30(current OR) and dont even get a MEDAL in 2016!
Have to agree w/DDIAS & Rafael.
Nothing wrong w/admiring the guy for attempting to make a comeback after such a long time away. He does deserve a bit of credit for that.
But come US trials in 2016, Adrian will have a spot locked up, and the other one will go to Jones or one of the young studs coming up in the ranks by then.
Ervin’s start is terrible to be honest, and his speed above water won’t be nearly enough to make up for the brutal raw strength of a superstud like Cielo, who’s only getting stronger & faster after his hiccups of recent times and will probably be crowned the next Olympic champ, mark my words!
Cielo will swim this week at Speedo Southern Zone Sectionals, 50 free, 100 free and 100 fly. for the first time he will be swimming since the surgery…
Attempting? Pretty sure making London and the 50 final is a successful comeback. A slow start cost him a medal, which could have happened to anyone. And I wouldn’t say Adrian is a lock, given the expectation of him making the 50 yet not only missing it but winning his “weaker” of the two events. Nothing is given..
I think it needs to be said here that Anthony Ervin had the MOST successful comeback of any swimmer in 2012! There were so many high-profile comebacks by extremely talented athletes last year, but who else made it to an Olympic final? I think it was important for Anthony to take that time off, because now he really knows what he WANTS, and I believe when you combine motivation with the kind of talent Anthony possesses then add an intelligent approach to the sport, you’ve got an extremely potent combination! I’ll sure be rooting for him!