William Yorzyk

William Albert Yorzyk Jr. (born May 29, 1933) is an American former competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and former world record-holder.

William Yorzyk
Yorzyk in 1956
Personal information
Full nameWilliam Albert Yorzyk Jr.
Nickname(s)"Bill"
National team United States
Born (1933-05-29) May 29, 1933
Northampton, Massachusetts
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight163 lb (74 kg)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesButterfly, freestyle
ClubNew Haven Swim Club
College teamSpringfield College

Yorzyk represented the United States at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.[1] He was the first swimmer to win the gold medal in the new 200-meter butterfly event, finishing with a time of 2:19.3 in the final.[1][2]

Yorzyk continued to swim competitively while he attended medical school at the University of Toronto. He won the U.S. AAU indoor championship in the 220-yard butterfly in 1958. He was awarded the university's Bickle Prize as its outstanding student-athlete in 1958 and 1959.[3]

Yorzyk was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Swimmer" in 1971.[3]

See also

References
  1. Sports-Reference.com, Olympic Sports, Athletes, Bill Yorzyk. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  2. Sports-Reference.com, Olympic Sports, Swimming at the 1956 Melbourne Summer Games, Men's 200 metres Butterfly Final. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  3. International Swimming Hall of Fame, Honorees, William Yorzyk (USA). Retrieved April 5, 2015.
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