Anthony Ervin - Biography

Anthony Lee Ervin (born May 26, 1981 in Valencia, California) is a former American swimmer. He has won two Olympic medals and two World Championship golds.

At the 2000 Summer Olympics, he became the first swimmer of African American descent to make the USA Olympic Swimming Team. At those Games, he swam to a gold medal in the men's 50 m freestyle, tying with countryman Gary Hall Jr. He also was on the silver medal winning men's 4×100 m freestyle relay.

Ervin retired from swimming in 2003 at the age of 22.

Personal life

Ervin is Jewish, grew up in Valencia, CA and swam for the club team Canyons Aquatic Club. He currently still holds several age group records.

Manhattan Makos

He formerly coached a Manhattan-based junior swim team, The Manhattan Makos, before going off to finish up his studying at Berkeley.

Oakland Undercurrent

Anthony has been the head developmental coach in Oakland with the famed Oakland Undercurrent swim team since the Spring of 2011. He is one of the most inspirational and innovative age group coaches in the world.

International career

2000 Sydney Summer Olympic Games

'

At the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis, Ervin competed in two events, the 50 and 100 m freestyle. In the final of the 100 m freestyle, Ervin finished in 5th place with a time of 49.29, ensuring him a spot on the 4x100 m freestyle relay. In the final of the 50 m freestyle, Ervin finished in 2nd place behind Gary Hall Jr. with a time of 21.80.

At the 2000 Summer Olympics, Ervin won one gold and one silver medal. In his first final, the 4x100 m freestyle relay, Ervin teamed up with Gary Hall Jr., Neil Walker and Jason Lezak. Going into the final, the Americans had never lost at the Summer Olympics. Ervin swam the leadoff leg in 48.89, the second best leadoff behind Michael Klim's world record time of 48.18. The American team ended up finishing in 2nd place with a time of 3:13.86 behind Australia, who finished in a world record time of 3:13.67. In the final of the 50 m freestyle, Ervin tied Gary Hall Jr. for the gold with a time of 21.98.

2001 World Championships

Retirement

See also

• World record progression 50m freestyle
• List of select Jewish swimmers

External links

• Anthony Ervin biography and Olympic results, from http://www.sports-reference.com/
• Player Bio: Anthony Ervin – Cal Official Athletic Site