Hall of Fame

Often referred to as “Swimming’s Greatest Ambassador”, Ambrose “Rowdy” Gaines is a three-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer. The Winter Haven, Florida, native didn’t start swimming until he was 17, but improved rapidly within two years to earn a swimming scholarship to Auburn University. Gaines had broke 11 world records leading up to 1980 and was favored to dominate his events at the Olympic Games Moscow 1980, but the United States boycotted the Games that year. Despite taking a year-long hiatus from swimming upon thinking his athletic career might be over, Gaines returned to the water in 1981 and made the U.S. team for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984. He won an individual gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle and anchored the gold-medal winning teams for the 400 freestyle relay and 400 medley relay. Despite being inflicted with a life-threatening neurological disorder at the age of 31, Gaines made a comeback to his sport and was the oldest swimmer to qualify for the 1996 Olympic Trials at 35. He decided not to compete, but instead became the swimming commentator for NBC. Gaines is a regular television commentator on NBC and NBC Sports for swimming and sporting events, as well as a motivational speaker and a national spokesperson for a number of organizations.