Johnny Weissmuller

1904 – 1984

Winning the Olympic Games does wonders for your life outside of sport.

You may know me from the Tarzan and Jungle Jim films.

Both in the swimming pool and on stage were exciting careers.

But, it did not start out that way.

My parents were immigrants who struggled to integrate.

I was born in Freidorf, on the Romanian border.

At the local church, I was christened with the name of Johann.

We lived in a town called Timisoara.

It was then part of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire.

But, my parents felt a better future lay in the USA.

So, tickets were bought and we sailed across the Atlantic.

At the age of nine, my health added to their problems.

I was attacked by the life-threatening poliomyelitis virus.

My doctor suggested that I start swimming.

He said it would help me fight the disease.

Maybe he felt swimming would give me a purpose.

After all, recovery is both a mental and physical effort.

As a young boy, my parents took me to the swimming baths.

Gradually, I recovered from the illness.

My muscles came back to life through swimming.

Before long, I was competing in, and winning, races.

There were no wonder drugs, but swimming helped me recover.

It was the starting point for my entry to the Olympic Games.

As a result of disciplined training, I reached a high standard.

Eventually, I was selected for the USA Olympic swimming team.

So, I set off in 1924, across the wild Atlantic Ocean for Paris.

The next few weeks changed my life.

At the VIII Olympiad, I won three gold medals.

Standing on the winner’s dais, I had to pinch myself.

Could it all be really true?

My name was read out as the 100 meter freestyle champion.

Next time, it was for the 400 meters.

Also, our team of four won the 200 meter relay.

As part of the water polo team, we also won a bronze medal.

We returned to the USA as heroes.

So, I was keen to continue training for the next Olympics.

That took place in Amsterdam, Holland.

Although, four years older, I still won the 100 meter freestyle.

Our 200 meter relay team, were also winners.

So, two more gold medals were added to my collection.

In addition, I set 67 world records.

Also, I won 52 USA National Championships.

That brought me to the attention of people in the film business.

In 1929, I signed a contract to model swimwear.

It was the start of a new lifestyle with the rich and famous.

But, it was Hollywood that attracted me.

Could I succeed as an actor?

An opportunity arose for an unusual part and I took it.

Tarzan the Ape Man became a hit film in 1932.

Later, other hits came along, such as Jungle Jim.

But, my passion for swimming continued.

Therefore, I started the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

I had an exciting life and married five times.

As I won five gold medals, maybe it was my lucky number.