Anthony Lee Ervin American swimmer Date of Birth: 26.05.1981 Country: USA

1. Biography of Anthony Ervin
2. Early Career
3. Success and Challenges
4. Comeback and Continued Success
5. Interesting Facts

Biography of Anthony Ervin

Anthony Ervin is an American swimmer who is a three-time Olympic champion (2000 and 2016) and a four-time world champion. He was born in California in 1981. With a Jewish mother and an African-American and Native American father, Ervin comes from a diverse background.

Early Career

Ervin's swimming career took off quickly. At the age of 18, he participated in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. He competed in the 4x100m freestyle relay, where he swam in both the semifinals and the finals. In the final, Ervin swam the first leg, helping the American team secure a silver medal. A few days later, he competed in the 50m freestyle, where he tied for first place with fellow American Gary Hall Jr.

Success and Challenges

Ervin continued his success at the 2001 World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, winning gold medals in the 50m and 100m freestyle events. However, his rapid rise to fame took a toll on him, and he faced personal challenges and struggled with his swimming performance. In 2003, at the age of 22, Ervin decided to retire from competitive swimming.

After retiring, Ervin moved to New York and worked as a swimming coach for the Manhattan Makos swim team. He also earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley. In 2010, he made the decision to return to professional swimming.

Comeback and Continued Success

In 2012, Ervin competed in the London Olympics, reaching the final in the 50m freestyle but finishing in fifth place. Later that year, he won two gold medals and one bronze medal at the Short Course World Championships.

In 2016, after 16 years since his first Olympic victory, Ervin won his second Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro. He competed in the preliminary round of the 4x100m freestyle relay, and although he did not participate in the final, he still received a gold medal. A few days later, he won another gold medal in the 50m freestyle, becoming a three-time Olympic champion.

Interesting Facts

Ervin's life has been marked by personal struggles and unique experiences. He attempted suicide by ingesting a handful of sedatives and had several close calls while riding a motorcycle under the influence of LSD and cocaine. He also practiced Zen Buddhism and played guitar in a band called "Weapons of Mass Destruction." In 2005, he sold his Olympic gold medal and donated the proceeds to help victims of the tsunami.

Ervin's slow but steady comeback began in 2008 when he returned to the University of California, Berkeley as a student of literature. He discovered a passion for medieval texts and eventually rediscovered his love for swimming.