Alain Gottvallès
Encyclopedia
Alain Gottvallès (22 March 1942 – 29 February 2008) was a French swimmer
, born in Casablanca
, Morocco. He was world record holder
in 100 metres freestyle
in 1964, the first swimmer to complete the distance in less than 53 seconds.
He participated at the 1964 Summer Olympics
in Tokyo
, where he placed fifth in 100 metre freestyle
.
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
, born in Casablanca
Casablanca
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
, Morocco. He was world record holder
World record progression 100 metres freestyle
The first world record in the men's 100 metres freestyle in long course swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation in 1905...
in 100 metres freestyle
Freestyle swimming
Freestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The front crawl stroke is almost universally used during a freestyle race, as this style is generally the fastest...
in 1964, the first swimmer to complete the distance in less than 53 seconds.
He participated at the 1964 Summer Olympics
1964 Summer Olympics
The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, where he placed fifth in 100 metre freestyle
Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre freestyle
The men's 100 metre freestyle event at the 1964 Olympic Games took place between October 11 and 12. In freestyle swimming, the stroke used is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke...
.