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Roy Saari

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Roy Saari
Saari in 1963
Personal information
Full nameRoy Allen Saari
National teamUnited States
Born(1945-02-26)February 26, 1945
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
DiedDecember 30, 2008(2008-12-30) (aged 63)
Mammoth Lakes, California, U.S.
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Weight190 lb (86 kg)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesFreestyle
ClubEl Segundo Swim Club
College teamUniversity of Southern California
CoachPeter Daland[1]
Medal record
Men's swimming
Representing the United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1964 Tokyo 4×200 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 1964 Tokyo 400 m medley
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1963 São Paulo 400 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1963 São Paulo 1500 m freestyle
Universiade
Gold medal – first place 1965 Budapest 4×100 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1965 Budapest 4×200 m freestyle

Roy Allen Saari (February 26, 1945 – December 30, 2008) was an American swimmer and water polo player. He qualified for the 1964 Summer Olympics in both disciplines, and chose swimming, as the Olympic rules of the time did not allow him to compete in two sports. He won a gold medal as a member of the first-place U.S. team in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, setting a new world record in the final with teammates Steve Clark, Gary Ilman and Don Schollander (7:52.1). Individually he earned a silver medal in the 400-meter individual medley (4:47.1). He also advanced to the finals of the 400-meter freestyle and 1,500-meter freestyle, placing fourth and seventh, respectively. Before the Olympics Saari became the first person to break the 17 minute barrier over 1500 m, but in the Olympic final he was suffering from a cold and clocked a mere 17:29.2.[2][1]

He and his younger brother Robert Saari were on the 1964 Olympic water polo team, which was coached by their father, Urho Saari. He attended the University of Southern California and swam for the USC Trojans swimming and diving team.[3] He also played water polo at the national level. He graduated from USC in 1967 and received his law degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1973. Between 1973 and 1978 he practiced law in Orange County, California, and then worked as a real estate agent and planning commissioner in Mammoth Lakes, California.[2][1]

Saari died on December 30, 2008, of heart failure, aged 63.[1][4] Earlier in 1976 he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.[5] In 1982, he was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame.[6][7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Roy Saari Passes Away". ISHOF.org. International Swimming Hall of Fame.[dead link‍]
  2. ^ a b c Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Roy Saari". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020.
  3. ^ "Saari Leads USC Swimming Victory". Independent. Long Beach, CA. February 20, 1966. p. 64. Retrieved December 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ Valerie J. Nelson (January 3, 2009) "Roy Saari, 63; USC swimming star won gold and silver in 1964 Olympics," Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
  5. ^ "Roy Saari (USA) – 1976 Honor Swimmer". ISHOF.org. International Swimming Hall of Fame.[dead link‍]
  6. ^ "Roy Saari (1982)". usawaterpolo.org. USA Water Polo. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  7. ^ "Hall of Fame Inductees". usawaterpolo.org. USA Water Polo. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
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Records
Preceded by Men's 1,500-meter freestyle
world record-holder (long course)
August 17, 1963 – August 2, 1964 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Murray Rose
 Men's 1,500-meter freestyle
world record-holder (long course)
September 2, 1964 – August 15, 1965 		Succeeded by


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