Roy Saari

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.[1][2]

Roy Saari

Saari in 1963
Personal information
Full name	Roy Allen Saari
National team	United States
Born	(1945-02-26)February 26, 1945 Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Died	December 30, 2008(2008-12-30) (aged 63) Mammoth Lakes, California, U.S.
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Weight	190 lb (86 kg)
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Freestyle
Club	El Segundo Swim Club
College team	University of Southern California
Coach	Peter Daland[2]
Medal record Representing the United States Olympic Games 1964 Tokyo 4×200 m freestyle 1964 Tokyo 400 m medley Pan American Games 1963 São Paulo 400 m freestyle 1963 São Paulo 1500 m freestyle Universiade 1965 Budapest 4×100 m freestyle 1965 Budapest 4×200 m freestyle

Roy was the middle of three children of Urho and Wanda Saari. His father coached the 1964 Olympic water polo team, which included his son and Roy's younger brother Robert. Roy attended the University of Southern California, and swam for the USC Trojans swimming and diving team. 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.[1][2]

Saari died December 30, 2008 of heart failure, aged 63. He was survived by his wife of 41 years, Sheryl, his siblings Carol and Robert, daughter Joani and son Jeff.[2][3] Earlier in 1976 he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.[4]

See also

• List of members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame

• List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men)
• List of University of Southern California people
• World record progression 1500 metres freestyle
• World record progression 4 × 200 metres freestyle relay

References

1. Roy Saari – Olympic athlete profile at Sports-Reference.com
2. Roy Saari Passes Away. International Swimming Hall of Fame
3. 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.
4. ROY SAARI (USA) 1976 Honor Swimmer. International Swimming Hall of Fame

Records
Preceded by John Konrads	Men's 1,500-meter freestyle world record-holder (long course) August 17, 1963 – August 2, 1964	Succeeded by Murray Rose
Preceded by Murray Rose	Men's 1,500-meter freestyle world record-holder (long course) September 2, 1964 – August 15, 1965	Succeeded by Stephen Krause