Seoul, Chamshil, 24 September 1988: Matthew BIONDI, USA raises his fist in celebration after winning the men's 50m freestyle swimming event. BIONDI smashed the world record with a time of 22.14 secs. Credit : Getty Images/Simon BrutyOther names: BIONDI, Matthew Nicholas, BIONDI, Matt
Born: 8 October 1965
Birthplace: Palo Alto (United States)
Nationality: United States
Sport: Aquatics
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Los Angeles 1984
Seoul 1988
Barcelona 1992
AWARDS
Olympic medals:
Gold: 8
Silver: 2
Bronze: 1
Other results:
World Championships
Gold: 6 (86, 91)
Silver: 2 (86, 91)
Bronze: 3 (86)
The Star Swimmer of Seoul
Matt Biondi is one of only two swimmers (Mark Spitz being the other) who have won seven medals in one Olympics and eleven career medals. Biondi began modestly in 1984, earning his first gold medal as a member of the US 4x100m freestyle relay team. Four years later in Seoul, Biondi picked up a bronze medal in the 200m freestyle and then entered the 100m butterfly, in which he was the favorite. However he had to settle for second place when Anthony Nesty of Suriname beat him 53.00 seconds to 53.01 seconds.
This led Biondi to reflect, "One one-hundredth of a second - what if I had grown my fingernails longer?" Biondi successfully channeled his disappointment, entering five more events, winning gold medals in all of them and setting world records in four. He took part in all three US relay victories and also won the 100m freestyle and the 50m freestyle. In this last race, he won by defeating teammate Tom Jager for the first time in two years.
Biondi returned to the Olympics in 1992. After placing fifth in the 100m freestyle, he earned a gold medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay and a silver medal in the 50m freestyle. Finally, Biondi swam the butterfly leg in the qualifying round of the 4x100m medley. When the US team won the final, Biondi was awarded yet another gold medal - the eighth of his career.
