OLYMPIC GAMES - Looking at the performance in athletics and swimming events of the 2012 London Olympic Games, this edition of the Olympics is not as record-friendly as the one in Beijing four years ago. In Beijing 26 world records were broken in athletics and swimming, and an additional 21 Olympic records. In London there are 11 world records so far and an additional 17 Olympic records.
OLYMPIC GAMES - With 33 of the 34 swimming events completed at the London 2012 Olympic Games, it has become apparent that swimming offers greater opportunities at multi-medal performances than other sports. The only non-swimmer with 4+ medals in London is gymnast Aliya Mustafina.
SWIMMING - Ryan Lochte is 28 years old today. He is one of the most successful participants in the London 2012 Olympic Games and also the most popular in social media. Lochte is a jack-of-all-trades in the swimming pool, making him a master in the medleys. However, he is also a formidable competitor in backstroke and freestyle.
Shares birthday with: Terry Wogan, Martin Sheen, James Hetfield
OLYMPIC GAMES - Michael Phelps is on the edge of not only breaking a 48-year-old record, but also one of the most important ones. The American swimmer can claim his 18th Olympic medal, equaling Larissa Latynina’s record. Phelps already holds the record for most gold medals. Click Read More to see our Infographic!
SWIMMING - The fastest qualifier for the final of the women’s 100m breaststroke is a 15-year-old swimmer from Lithuania. Young as she may seem, it is not at all unusual. We have broken down all Olympic swimming champions by age. Click Read More to see our Infographic and click on the picture to make it interactive!
3 – Michael Phelps swam a total of 3 km (in finals) to win his 16 Olympic medals. Click ‘Read More’ to see the complete countdown from 100 until today.
18 - All-time record of medals won by gymnast Larissa Latynina (URS) - under threat by Michael Phelps (16) in London 2012. Click ‘Read More’ to see the complete countdown from 100 until today.
SWIMMING - Michael Phelps will not defend ALL of his eight Olympic gold medals from Beijing in London. Today, the American ace dropped the 200m Freestyle from his Olympic timetable, leaving seven - four individual events and the three relays. Below we have charted the medal moments that Phelps is pinning his hopes on.
SWIMMING - Michael Phelps is 27 years old today. Phelps is already regarded as one of the greatest swimmers of all time, having broken numerous world records and won multiple gold medals at both World Championships and Olympic Games. “The Flying Fish” was the youngest American male swimmer at the Olympic Games of the age of 15 years in 2000 Sydney Games. After that he won 16 Olympic medals, 14 gold medals and two bronze medals. One to watch in London.
Shares birthday with: Susan Hayward, Yngwie Malmsteen, Mike Tyson
40 - At age 40, four-time Olympic champion Janet Evans (USA) is trying to qualify for London 2012. She won 3 golds at Seoul 1988 at 17. Click ‘Read More’ to see the complete countdown from 100 until today.
SWIMMING - If Johnny Weissmuller were still alive he would be 108 years old today. Weissmuller won two Olympic gold medals in the Men’s 100m Freestyle, but is at least as famous for his role as “Tarzan” in the movies. Johnny Weismuller was born in Hungary, and when he was seven months old, his family moved to the United States, where they would eventually settle in the town of Windber, Pennsylvania.
Click here to see his profile on the Wall of Fame.
Shares birthday with: Charlie Watts, Lasse Hallström, Dana Carvey
SWIMMING - Grant Hackett is 32 years old today. Emerging out of the wake of the tremendously popular Kieren Perkins, Hackett proved to be an even more successful distance swimmer, winning three gold medals at the Olympic Games (2000 and 2004), twice in the 1500m Freestyle and once in the 4x200m Freestyle Relay. He also collected a stunning 10 World Championship gold medals. He registered eight world records before retiring from the sport in 2008.
Shares birthday with: James L. Brooks, Billy Joel, Dave Gahan
Click here to see Grant Hackett his Wall of Fame profile.
SWIMMING: Don Schollander is 66 years old today. When he was 11 years old, he considered quitting swimming after a bout of pneumonia had rattled his invincibility. He persisted. At age 18, he won four gold medals at the Olympic Games. He won Olympic Gold in the 100m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle, 4x100m Freestyle and twice in the 4x200m Freestyle (1964 and 1968). During his career, he set 19 world records in the 200m and 400m Freestyle events as well as the Freestyle Relay.
Shares birthday with: Willie Nelson, Jane Campion, Lars von Trier
SWIMMING - Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) has propelled herself into the role of favourite for 100m Freestyle gold in London after she became the first woman ’in textile’ to officially beat the 53 seconds marker - 52.75.
SWIMMING - Australian swimmer James Magnussen is 21 years old today. If you have never met him allow us to introduce one of the potential stars of the forthcoming 2012 London Olympic Games. “The Missile” is the reigning world champion in the Men’s 100m Freestyle and is one of the torchbearers of a new generation of sprinters.
Shares birthday with: Jeremy Clarkson, Lisa Stansfield, Joss Stone
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