U.S. Olympic Athletes

Aaron Peirsol

  • Home:  Irvine, CA
  • Birthday:  7/23/1983

Height: 6-4 (193.0 cm)
Weight: 175 lbs (79.4 kg)
Birthplace: Orange County, Calif.
Residence: Austin, Texas
High School: Newport Harbor HS '02
College: Texas '06
College Major: Government
Coached By: Eddie Reese
Club: Longhorn Aquatics (TXLA-TX)

 

Fast Facts

  • Three-time Olympian (2008, 2004, 2000)
  • Seven Olympic medals (5 Gold, 2 Silver)

 

Career Highlights

Broke his own world record and claimed gold in the 100m BK at the 2007 World Championships...before the 2007 World Champs had not lost the 200m back at an international meet since the 2000 Olympic Games, when he finished second...two-time Olympian who won three gold medals at the 2004 Olympic Games, becoming just the fifth male (fourth American) to sweep the backstroke races...for the second time in a row, swept the backstroke races at 2005 World Championships, winning both 100m and 200m back and swimming the backstroke leg of the 400m medley relay (he also did it in 2003)...captured his first international gold medal in 200m back at the 2001 World Champs...youngest American (age 15) to break two minutes in 200m back when he did it at the 1999 Spring National Championships.

  • Olympic History: 2008: Gold, 100m BK (WR), 400m MR; Silver, 200m BK ... 2004: Gold, 100m & 200m BK and 400m MR...2000: Silver, 200m BK
  • World Champs History: 2007: Gold, 100m BK(WR); Silver, 200m BK...2005 & 2003: Gold, 100m & 200m BK & 400m MR...2001: Gold, 200m BK
  • Pan Pacs History: 2006: Gold, 100m BK & 200m BK(WR) & 400m MR...2002: Gold, 100m & 200m BK & 400m MR(WR)
  • Pan Ams History: 1999: Silver, 200m BK
  • SC Worlds History: 2004: Gold, 100m BK & 200m BK(WR) & 400m MR(WR)...2002: Gold, 200m BK(WR) & 400m MR(WR); Silver, 100m BK
  • 2007 World Rankings: 1st, 100m back; 3rd, 200m back; 26th, 50m back; 42nd, 100m fly; 62nd, 200m fly; 67th, 200m IM; 83rd, 200m free
  • 2006 World Rankings: 107th, 200m free; 1st, 100m back; 1st, 200m back
  • 2005 World Rankings: 1st, 100m back; 1st, 200m back
  • National Titles: 100m Back (5): '06 SUM, '05 SPG (WR), '02 SUM, '02SPG, '01 SPG...200m Back (6): '06 SUM, '05 SPG, '02 SUM, '02 SPG (WR), '01 SPG (USO), '00 SPG

 

Records

Holds WR in 100m BK, set at 2007 World Championships...former WR holder in 200m BK, set at 2006 Pan Pacific Champs...former WR holder in 100m BK, set at 2005 World Championship Trials...holds WR in 400m MED-R, set at 2004 Olympic Games.

 

Additional Honors

  • General Accolades: 2005 USA Swimming Athlete of the Year...youngest American (15 years old) to break two minutes in 200m back when he did it at the 1999 Spring National Championships
  • International: Swam the backstroke leg of both world record-breaking 400m medley relays (lcm and scm)
  • National Teams: Eight-time National A Team (1999-06)
  • All-Star Team: Six-time (2001-06)
  • Meet Honors: 2005 Spring Nationals CP Performance of the Meet winner
  • Collegiate: 2003 NCAA Swimmer of the Year

 

Personal

  • Parents: Tim and Wella...father is a mortgage broker, and mother is a retired dental hygienist
  • Sibling(s): Younger sister (Hayley) swam at Auburn and is a member of the National Team...Aaron and Hayley became the only sibling duo to medal at the same World Champs when Hayley took silver in the 1500m free, followed by Aaron's gold in the 100m back, both on July 22, 2003...older stepsister (Erin)...stepbrother (Greg) is the same age
  • Sports Played Before Swimming: Water polo, basketball, baseball, soccer
  • Nickname(s): "Pinesol"
  • Hobbies Outside the Pool: Reading, going to the beach
  • Ultimate Way to Relax: Going to the beach
  • Charities: Is an ambassador for the Surfrider Foundation, working to increase awareness of beach and coastal environmental issues
  • Charities: Is a spokesman for Oceana, the largest international organization solely dedicated to ocean advocacy...serves as a "clean water ambassador" for the Global Water Foundation
  • Sponsor(s): Nike, Mutual of Omaha
  • Training Stats: Swims 10,000 meters/yards per day, 3 hours a day, 6 days a week
  • More: Gave up future college eligibility after 2004 NCAA Championships...youngest American (age 15) to break two minutes in 200m back, which he did first at 1999 Spring Nationals...enjoys surfing when he's near the ocean; favorite places: the Wedge in Newport Beach, Calif., for body surfing, and a small beach in Nosara, Costa Rica...at the 2006 Nationals, both Aaron and his sister Hayley won national titles on the same day (Aug. 5) as Hayley captured her first national title in the 1500m free and Aaron won his 11th national title in the 200m back
  • Favorites: U.S. city: Newport Beach, Calif....international destination: Barcelona...musician: Mason Jennings...favorite summer activity: surfing