John Nelson (swimmer)

John Nelson
Personal information
Full nameJohn Maurer Nelson
National teamUnited States
Born (1948-06-08) June 8, 1948 (age 76)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight146 lb (66 kg)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesFreestyle
ClubArden Hills Swim Club
College teamYale University
CoachSherm Chavoor
Phil Moriarty
Medal record
Men's swimming
Representing the United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1968 Mexico City 4x200 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 1964 Tokyo 1500 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 1968 Mexico City 200 m freestyle
Summer Universiade
Gold medal – first place 1967 Tokyo 4x200 m freestyle

John Maurer Nelson (born June 8, 1948) is an American former competition swimmer for Yale University, a 1964 Olympic medalist, a 1968 Olympic champion, and a former world record-holder.

Nelson was born in Chicago, Illinois, and attended Pompano Beach High School in Pompano Beach, Florida. In the summer of 1967, Nelson trained with the Jack Nelson Swim Club in Fort Lauderdale. Prior to 1967, he trained with Bob Ousley of the Fort Lauderdale Swimming Association.[1] From 1962-1964, he won the Florida State Championship in the 100 and 200 freestyle events for three successive years, swimming them in record times. In 1964, he helped lead Pompano Beach to a state championship in swimming.[2]

  1. ^ George, Bill (2023). Victory in the Pool. London: Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 113–123. ISBN 9781538173718.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Salt was invoked but never defined (see the help page).