Wednesday, 06 May 2026

    Johnny Weismuller

    • Contest: The US Athletics Hall of Fame - Athletes 2026
    • Embed from Getty Images
    • Sport(s): Swimming & Water Polo
    • Statistics & Accolades: 2 100 m Freestyle Olympic Gold Medals (1924 & 1928)
      2 4x200 m Freestyle Olympic Gold Medals (1924 & 1928)
      1 400 m Freestyle Olympic Gold Medals (1924)
      1 Water Polo Olympic Bronze Medal (1924)
      Member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame
      Member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
    • There have been many swimming “stars” in the world, but someone had to be the first.

      That star was Johnny Weismuller.

      Born in Hungary but raised as a German-American in Chicago, Johnny Weismuller became a swimming sensation at the 1924 Paris and 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, where he won five gold medals and broke 67 world swimming records. Weismuller, who was undefeated over ten years of competition and was also a bronze medal winner in Water Polo, was the world’s first swimming megastar, and unlike many athletes who try to make a second career in Hollywood, Weismuller succeeded.

      With his matinee-idol looks and chiseled physique, Weismuller took on the role of Tarzan, appearing in 12 films.

      How many people can say that they conquered the Olympics and Hollywood?

      We are proud to nominate Johnny Weismuller for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.
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