Debbie Meyer Captures Third Individual Olympic Gold 40 Years Ago Today in Mexico City
PHOENIX, Arizona, October 24. READERS can relive the 40th anniversary of Debbie Meyer's third individual Olympic gold medal from Mexico by downloading Swimming World Magazine's November 1968 coverage of the Olympics for FREE.
Download 1968 Olympics Coverage Here
Meyer was coached by Hall of Famer and Olympic coach Sherm Chavoor of the Arden Hills Swim Club. At the age of 16, Meyer was the first woman to capture three individual gold medals in Olympic history shortly after breaking three world records at the 1968 Olympic Trials in the 200, 400 and 800 freestyles. She also held the 1500 free world record that same year.
Additionally, Meyer was the first three-time female winner of Swimming World Magazine's prestigious World Swimmer of the Year award with wins in 1967-69. Since then, several women have been able to match the honor including the likes of Janet Evans and Krisztina Egerszegi.
During her career, Meyer broke a total of 20 world records and became a U.S Olympic Hall of Famer in 1986. She also eclipsed 24 American records and won 19 Amateur Athletic Union titles before retiring at the age of 19.
In 1977, Meyer earned induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Meyer currently owns the Debbie Meyer Swim School located in Carmichael, Calif.
Coming up Nov. 1-3, viewers can watch an exclusive SwimmingWorld.TV interview with Meyer about her record breaking career in an upcoming Morning Swim Show segment hosted by Brent Rutemiller on SwimmingWorldMagazine.com.