The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Peirsol takes gold, rewrites world record in 100m backstroke at Beijing Olympics
08.11.2008 | Men's Swimming and Diving
Aug. 11, 2008
BEIJING -- Texas-Ex Aaron Peirsol secured his third individual Olympic gold medal as he scorched the 100-meter backstroke field and broke his own world record Tuesday morning at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Peirsol secured his fifth career Olympic medal and fourth gold medal by winning the 100-meter backstroke in 52.54 seconds, shattering his previous world record of 52.89 set at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in July. Swimming in lane two, Peirsol trailed Great Britain's Liam Tancock after the first 50 meters before cruising away from the field in the final 25 meters to rewrite his own world mark.
Peirsol's latest gold medal is the 34th Olympic gold medal won by a current or former University of Texas men's swimmer or diver and the 60th gold medal for an athlete with UT ties. University of Texas athletes now boast 104 Olympic medals.
Peirsol won the 100m and 200m backstroke events at the 2004 Athens Olympics after winning silver in the 200m backstroke at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Peirsol was a six-time NCAA champion during his two seasons (2003-04) at The University of Texas.
