Hall of Fame

John Naber

Swimming

Olympian in Montreal 1976 Olympic Games

Born:
January 20, 1956
Birthplace:
Evanston, Illinois
Hometown:
Woodside, California
College:
University of Southern California

hall of fame

John Naber

Swimming

Olympian in Montreal 1976 Olympic Games

Born:
January 20, 1956
Birthplace:
Evanston, Illinois
Hometown:
Woodside, California
College:
University of Southern California
At the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games, John Naber won four gold medals: 100- and 200-meter backstroke, 4×100-meter medley relay, 4×200-meter freestyle relay — all in world-record time.
SHARE

John Naber spent much of his childhood in Europe. When his family returned to the United States and John enrolled in high school, the 6-foot-6 Naber later joked that on the first day of class he was the first player picked for a basketball team because he was so tall; the next day, he was the last player taken because he was so bad.

But while Naber’s height didn’t pay off on the basketball court, he soon found that it was an asset in the pool. Swimming competitively for the first time, the high school freshman quickly made up time against other swimmers who had been in the pool for years.

He did miss one season of competition after breaking his collarbone when he jumped off a diving board and – trying to avoid lane lines – landed on the pool deck. But otherwise, Naber’s physical attributes helped him become a natural in the pool.

“I took to it like a duck to water,” Naber said years later. “I was born to swim. I have big hands, long limbs and flexible joints.”

One year later, during the 1973 AAU indoor championships in Philadelphia, Naber phoned home to share the news that once again he had broken something: “The American record in the 200 back.”

Naber swam fours years at the University of Southern California, leading the Trojans to four consecutive NCAA team championships and racking up 10 individual titles. At the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games, Naber was sensational, dominating the two backstroke events (100- and 200-meters) with world record times to win gold medals. He helped the American 4×100-meter medley relay and 4×200 freestyle relay teams win gold in world record times. And he took silver in the 200-meter freestyle.

Naber retired from competitive swimming after his completing his collegiate eligibility in 1977. He has worked as a motivational speaker and television commentator and is an avid supporter of the Olympic Movement. He was a member of the 1984 Los Angeles Organizing Committee and has been a three-time Olympic Torch bearer.



MEDAL RESULTS
1976 Montreal 100m Backstroke Gold
1976 Montreal 200m Backstroke Gold
1976 Montreal 4x100m Medley Relay Gold
1976 Montreal 4x200m Freestyle Relay Gold
1976 Montreal 200m Freestyle Silver

TICKETS NOW

ON SALE

DISCOUNTS FOR MILITARY, FIRST RESPONDERS, SENIORS, GROUPS AND MORE!​
RELATED GALLERY
connect with us
NEXT UP
One of the best swimmers who has ever competed for Team USA, Natalie Coughlin won 12 medals over the course of three Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012).
David Kiley competed at five Paralympic Games in wheelchair basketball, track and field, and alpine skiing. He won a total of 13 Paralympic medals.
Michelle Kwan sits as the most decorated figure skater – male or female – in the United States, having won 43 championships.
Swimmer Trischa Zorn-Hudson is the most successful athlete in the history of the Paralympic Games, having won 55 medals, including 41 gold medals, over seven Paralympics.
Skip to content