Anthony Ervin
Encyclopedia
Anthony Lee Ervin is a former American swimmer. He has won two Olympic
medals and two World Championship golds.
At the 2000 Summer Olympics
, he became the first swimmer of African American
descent to make the USA Olympic Swimming Team. At those Games
, he swam to a gold medal
in the men's 50 m freestyle, tying with countryman Gary Hall Jr. He also was on the silver medal
winning men's 4×100 m freestyle relay.
Ervin retired from swimming in 2003 at the age of 22.
At the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis
, Ervin competed in two events, the 50 and 100 m freestyle. In the final of the 100 m freestyle, Ervin finished in 5th place with a time of 49.29, ensuring him a spot on the 4x100 m freestyle relay. In the final of the 50 m freestyle, Ervin finished in 2nd place behind Gary Hall Jr. with a time of 21.80.
At the 2000 Summer Olympics
, Ervin won one gold and one silver medal. In his first final, the 4x100 m freestyle relay, Ervin teamed up with Gary Hall Jr., Neil Walker and Jason Lezak
. Going into the final, the Americans had never lost at the Summer Olympics. Ervin swam the leadoff leg in 48.89, the second best leadoff behind Michael Klim
's world record time of 48.18. The American team ended up finishing in 2nd place with a time of 3:13.86 behind Australia, who finished in a world record time of 3:13.67. In the final of the 50 m freestyle, Ervin tied Gary Hall Jr. for the gold with a time of 21.98.
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
medals and two World Championship golds.
At the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, he became the first swimmer of African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
descent to make the USA Olympic Swimming Team. At those Games
Swimming at the 2000 Summer Olympics
At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, 32 swimming events were contested, between September 15–23, 2000. There was a total of 954 participants from 150 countries competing.-Medal table:-Men:...
, he swam to a gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
in the men's 50 m freestyle, tying with countryman Gary Hall Jr. He also was on the silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
winning men's 4×100 m freestyle relay.
Ervin retired from swimming in 2003 at the age of 22.
Personal life
Ervin is Jewish, grew up in Valencia, CA and swam for the club team Canyons Aquatic Club. He currently still holds several age group records.Manhattan Makos
He formerly coached a Manhattan-based junior swim team, The Manhattan Makos, before going off to finish up his studying at Berkeley.Oakland Undercurrent
Anthony has been the head developmental coach in Oakland with the famed Oakland Undercurrent swim team since the Spring of 2011. He is one of the most inspirational and innovative age group coaches in the world.2000 Sydney Summer Olympic Games
At the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Ervin competed in two events, the 50 and 100 m freestyle. In the final of the 100 m freestyle, Ervin finished in 5th place with a time of 49.29, ensuring him a spot on the 4x100 m freestyle relay. In the final of the 50 m freestyle, Ervin finished in 2nd place behind Gary Hall Jr. with a time of 21.80.
At the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, Ervin won one gold and one silver medal. In his first final, the 4x100 m freestyle relay, Ervin teamed up with Gary Hall Jr., Neil Walker and Jason Lezak
Jason Lezak
Jason Edward Lezak is an American Olympic swimmer, winner of 4 Olympic gold medals.He formerly swam for Irvine Novaquatics. He graduated from Irvine High School in 1994, and then from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1999. He is a member of the Rose Bowl Aquatics swim club...
. Going into the final, the Americans had never lost at the Summer Olympics. Ervin swam the leadoff leg in 48.89, the second best leadoff behind Michael Klim
Michael Klim
Michael Klim OAM is a Polish-born Australian swimmer. He was born in Gdynia. He was educated at the University High School, Melbourne and Wesley College, Melbourne where he is currently employed as the College's elite Head Coach of swimming...
's world record time of 48.18. The American team ended up finishing in 2nd place with a time of 3:13.86 behind Australia, who finished in a world record time of 3:13.67. In the final of the 50 m freestyle, Ervin tied Gary Hall Jr. for the gold with a time of 21.98.
2001 World Championships
See also
- World record progression 50m freestyle
- List of select Jewish swimmers
External links
- Anthony Ervin biography and Olympic results, from http://www.sports-reference.com/
- Player Bio: Anthony Ervin – Cal Official Athletic Site