Pound for pound, 2012 Olympic gold medalist, Tyler McGill, is one of the fastest butterflyers in history. At five feet, eleven inches tall and 174 pounds, he puts out a lot of horsepower, enough to swim the butterfly leg of Team USA’s prelim 4×100 medley relay at the London Olympics.
McGill’s been a stalwart performer, turning in progressively faster 100 butterfly races since his impressive swim at the 2009 US World Championship Trials where he got second to Michael Phelps.
McGill Quote via Arluck Promotions:
McGill celebrates making the 2012 Olympic Swimming Team with “The Kiss”
I think the biggest thing that I took away from this summer (2009) is that I have the ability to compete at that level. Having gone through experiences from nationals and world champs, I have a greater sense of what I need to do at those meets to perform at the level I know I will.
In the 100 butterfly final at the 2012 US Olympic Swimming Trials, McGill charged the entire race, touching in 51.32, less than .18 off Phelps’ winning time. However, McGill may be best remembered for his celebration, “The Kiss” after his race. After making the 2012 US Olympic Swim Team, McGill threw his fists in the air and ran to the stands where he kissed his wife. (See photo above.)
Fortunately the filmmakers, The Wright Brothers, understood McGill’s passion for swimming and produced the video above, capturing the essense of what it means to be a hero.
See Tyler McGill’s recently launched website here.
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Book Tyler McGill for appearances and/or partnerships at Arluck Promotions here.
Tyler on Gold Medal Minute:
Often underrated , but great butterflyer .