Max Metzker
Encyclopedia
Maxwell Raymond Metzker (born 8 March 1960 in Johannesburg
, Republic of South Africa) was an Australia
n long distance freestyle swimmer of the late 1970s and early 1980s, who won a bronze medal in the 1500 m freestyle at the 1980 Moscow Olympics
. He was a co-flagbearer with Denise Boyd
at the opening ceremony, when Australia marched under the Olympic flag to protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
.
Metzker first showed his international pedigree in the pool at the 1976 Montreal Olympics
, coming sixth in the 1500 m freestyle and 13th in the 400 m event.
He had his first international success at the 1978 Commonwealth Games
in Edmonton
, Canada
, winning a gold and bronze medal in the 1500 and 400 m freestyle respectively. He also claimed a gold medal in the 4x200 m freestyle relay.
In Moscow, Metzker trailed the great Soviet Union
swimmer Vladimir Salnikov
home by some 25 m. Salnikov broke the world record, being the first man to break the 15 minute barrier. Metzker was pipped to the silver by just 0.19s by Salnikov's compatriot Aleksandr Chaev. Metzker also reached the final of the 400 m freestyle and the 4x200 m freestyle relay, finishing seventh in both. Metzker bowed out of international competition with another gold in the 1500 m freestyle at the 1982 Commonwealth Games
in Brisbane
.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, Republic of South Africa) was an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n long distance freestyle swimmer of the late 1970s and early 1980s, who won a bronze medal in the 1500 m freestyle at the 1980 Moscow Olympics
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
. He was a co-flagbearer with Denise Boyd
Denise Boyd
Denise Boyd is a former Australian Olympic sprinter, who reached two Olympic finals in the 200 metres sprint...
at the opening ceremony, when Australia marched under the Olympic flag to protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
Metzker first showed his international pedigree in the pool at the 1976 Montreal Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
, coming sixth in the 1500 m freestyle and 13th in the 400 m event.
He had his first international success at the 1978 Commonwealth Games
1978 Commonwealth Games
The 1978 Commonwealth Games were held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, from 3 to 12 August 1978, two years after the 1976 Summer Olympics were held in Montreal, Quebec...
in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, winning a gold and bronze medal in the 1500 and 400 m freestyle respectively. He also claimed a gold medal in the 4x200 m freestyle relay.
In Moscow, Metzker trailed the great Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
swimmer Vladimir Salnikov
Vladimir Salnikov
Vladimir Valeryevich Salnikov is a Russian former swimmer who competed for the USSR and set 12 world records in the 400-meter, 800-meter, and 1,500-meter freestyle. Nicknamed a "monster in the waves", he was the first man to swim under fifteen minutes in the 1500-meter freestyle...
home by some 25 m. Salnikov broke the world record, being the first man to break the 15 minute barrier. Metzker was pipped to the silver by just 0.19s by Salnikov's compatriot Aleksandr Chaev. Metzker also reached the final of the 400 m freestyle and the 4x200 m freestyle relay, finishing seventh in both. Metzker bowed out of international competition with another gold in the 1500 m freestyle at the 1982 Commonwealth Games
1982 Commonwealth Games
The 1982 Commonwealth Games were held in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia from 30 September–9 October 1982. The Opening Ceremony was held at the QEII Stadium , in the Brisbane suburb of Nathan. The QEII Stadium was also the venue which was used for the athletics and archery competitions during the...
in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
.