John Naber, American swimmer

John Phillips Naber: An Iconic American Swimmer and Olympic Champion

Born on January 20, 1956, in Evanston, Illinois, John Phillips Naber emerged as one of the most distinguished American competition swimmers of his era. Celebrated for his remarkable prowess in the pool, Naber achieved widespread recognition as a five-time Olympic medalist and a formidable former world record-holder across multiple prestigious events. His career trajectory was unique, marked by an international upbringing where he spent significant formative years studying in both England and Italy, a testament to his father's career as a management consultant which necessitated extensive international travel.

Upon returning to the United States, Naber completed his secondary education at Woodside High School in northern California. He then matriculated at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, where he pursued and successfully earned his bachelor's degree in psychology in 1977. His collegiate career at USC was nothing short of legendary. From 1974 to 1977, Naber was an instrumental leader for the USC Trojans men's swimming and diving team, guiding them to an unprecedented four consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) team championships. This remarkable streak solidified USC's dominance in collegiate swimming during his tenure and highlighted Naber's exceptional talent and inspirational leadership.

Olympic Glory and World Records

John Naber's athletic zenith arrived at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada, where he delivered a truly historic performance. During these Games, Naber showcased his unparalleled skill, securing an astounding five Olympic medals – four gold and one silver – and simultaneously breaking four world records. His achievements at Montreal were pivotal, establishing him as one of the greatest backstroke swimmers of all time. He became the first swimmer to complete the 200-meter backstroke in under two minutes, a significant milestone in swimming history.

• Gold Medal, 100m Backstroke: Naber set a new world record with a time of 55.49 seconds.
• Gold Medal, 200m Backstroke: He again set a world record, becoming the first to break the two-minute barrier with a time of 1:59.19.
• Gold Medal, 4x200m Freestyle Relay: Naber contributed to a world record-breaking performance with his teammates, setting a time of 7:23.22.
• Gold Medal, 4x100m Medley Relay: As the backstroke leg, he anchored another world record-setting relay victory with a time of 3:42.22.
• Silver Medal, 200m Freestyle: Demonstrating his versatility beyond backstroke, he also earned a silver medal in this event.

Frequently Asked Questions About John Phillips Naber

When was John Phillips Naber born?

John Phillips Naber was born on January 20, 1956, in Evanston, Illinois.

How many Olympic medals did John Naber win?

John Naber won a total of five Olympic medals at the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics: four gold medals and one silver medal.

Which college did John Naber attend?

John Naber attended the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, where he completed his bachelor's degree in psychology in 1977.

What was John Naber's major achievement at USC?

At USC, John Naber played a pivotal role in leading the Trojans men's swimming and diving team to an unparalleled four consecutive NCAA team championships from 1974 to 1977.

What swimming events was John Naber primarily known for?

John Naber was primarily known for his exceptional performances and world records in backstroke events (100m and 200m), although he also excelled in freestyle, particularly in relay events.