Hall of Fame

Matt Biondi is one of the most decorated U.S. Olympians in history, earning 11 Olympic medals and setting 12 individual swimming world records throughout his career. Biondi began swimming at the age of 5 in his hometown of Moraga, California. Attending the University of California, Berkeley, he was a two-sport athlete, competing in both water polo and swimming. While in college, Biondi qualified for a spot on the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team as a member of the gold medal-winning 4x100-meter freestyle relay squad. He also won three water polo championships at UC Berkeley, as well as 24 U.S. championships and 13 NCAA championships in swimming. Biondi competed in two more Olympic Games throughout his career, and was the most decorated athlete at the Olympic Games Seoul 1988 with seven medals. He was named the NCAA Swimmer of the Year in 1985, 1986 and 1987, and was honored as a two-time U.S. Olympic Committee Sportsman of the Year and two-time Male Swimmer of the World by Swimming World magazine. He was the first man to complete the 100 freestyle in under 49 seconds, and he owned all top-10 performance times for the event in 1988. Upon retiring from swimming, Biondi began a career as a high school teacher and swim coach. He has also served as a spokesperson for a number of organizations, including the Special Olympics, the National Dairy Council and Sports Illustrated for Kids, to promote good nutritional habits and provide positive influence for children. Biondi is also passionate about the conservation of natural resources, and he works with the Humane Society as a spokesperson for dolphin and marine life.