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30 May 2008 07:15 AM

Focus on the Olympics: Aaron Peirsol (2008 Swimming Hopeful)

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Aaron started breaking records at the age of 15.

Meet Aaron Peirsol Aaron is known for being California-style laid back. Though he hails from the Los Angeles area, he doesn't seek any media attention. "I don't like it to be too hyped-up for too long," Aaron said. "I'm pretty mellow, pretty laid-back. I don't want it to be too much at once. I'm swimming for better reasons than being a celebrity; I mean if I wanted to be a celebrity, I'd be a basketball player or something." After the 2004 Olympic Games, his high school town of Newport Beach, California threw him an "Aaron Peirsol Day" parade. Aaron is a student-athlete at the University of Texas.

Why Root for Him?

Aaron swept the backstroke events at the 2004 Olympic Games becoming the fifth male swimmer and fourth American to do so. He was the youngest American at the age of 15 to break two minutes in 200m back, which he did first at 1999 Spring Nationals. He and his sister Hayley are the only sibling duo to medal at the same World Championships on July 22, 2003

Performance Record

• Two-time Olympian
• Earned three 2004 Olympic gold medals (100m, 200m backstroke, 4x100m medley relay); 2000 Olympic silver medalist (200m backstroke)
• World record-holder in the 200m back and 400m medley relay (long and short course meters)
• World record-holder in the 200m back and 400m medley relay (long and short course meters)
• Won three gold medals at the 2005 World Championships (100m, 200m backstroke, 400m medley relay)
• Broke his own world record in the 100m backstroke and won the 200m back at the 2005 World Championship trials
• Claimed gold in 200m back at 2001 World Championships
• Won three gold medals at 2002 Pan Pacific Championships (100 & 200m back, 400 MR)

The U.S. Swim team trials take place from June 29th to July 6th in Omaha, Nebraska.

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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