John Macionis facts for kids
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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| Born | May 27, 1916 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Died | February 16, 2012 (aged 95) Charlottesville, Virginia |
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| Sport | ||||||||||||||
| Sport | Swimming | |||||||||||||
| Strokes | Freestyle | |||||||||||||
| College team | Yale University | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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John Joseph Macionis (May 27, 1916 – February 16, 2012) was an American swimmer. He was a talented athlete who swam for the United States in the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, Germany.
Contents
Early Life and Swimming Start
John Macionis was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started swimming at a young age for local clubs like Big Brothers and Germantown Y.M.C.A. He also swam for Central High School. While there, he was the captain of the swim team. In 1933, he even set a world record in the 200-yard freestyle event.
After high school, John spent a year at Mercersburg Academy in 1934. He trained under coach John "King" Miller. It's a school legend that John Macionis was the one who gave Coach Miller his famous nickname, "King." John set two more national freestyle records during his time there.
John came from a working-class family. During the Great Depression, which was a very tough economic time, his family couldn't afford the private school tuition. However, the people at Big Brothers helped him. Coach Miller also really wanted John on his team. Because of John's talent and good character, the school reduced the fees. This allowed him to attend Mercersburg and become one of their best athletes ever.
Swimming at Yale University
John Macionis continued his amazing swimming career at Yale University starting in 1938. He swam under another famous coach, Bob Kiputh.
In 1935, during his first year at Yale, John was part of a team of 18 swimmers. They set a new American record in the one-mile relay race. This happened during Yale's annual Water Carnival.
During John's first two years at Yale, the swim team was unbeatable. They had a perfect record, winning all their meets. John soon held all of Yale's freestyle records. He also held school records for the individual medley and the 220-yard breaststroke. In his senior year (1937–38), he was chosen as the captain of the Yale swim team.
In March 1936, Yale continued its long winning streak against Harvard University. Yale beat Harvard 45–26, marking their 151st straight victory. John Macionis finished second in the 440-yard freestyle. He also swam the final part of Yale's winning 400-yard Freestyle relay team.
National and College Champion
In 1935, John Macionis became a national champion. He won the 440-yard Freestyle at the AAU outdoor national championships in New York City. He beat several world record holders in freestyle swimming.
John also won college titles. According to the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), he won the NCAA title in the 1,500-meter freestyle in 1937. He successfully defended his title in 1938.
1936 Berlin Olympics
In 1936, John Macionis made history. He became the first swimmer from Yale to compete in the Olympic Games. At the Berlin Olympics, he won a silver medal. This was for the 4×200 meter freestyle relay event. He swam the second part of the relay race. He also competed in the 400-meter freestyle event.
After the Olympics, John and other U.S. swim team members traveled around Europe. They took part in special swim meets. The 1940 Summer Olympics were canceled because of World War II. However, a special committee recognized swimmers who would have qualified for that Olympic team. John Macionis was one of those swimmers. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Swimming Hall of Fame.
Life After Swimming
During World War II, John Macionis served his country. He was an officer in the United States Coast Guard. He reached the rank of lieutenant commander. After the war, he worked as an executive in the dairy industry in Philadelphia.
John continued to swim in master's competitions for older athletes. When he was 65 years old, he held five world records for his age group! He was also an active swimming official for over 50 years, especially in the Philadelphia area. He stopped officiating in 2009. John kept swimming every day until he was 94 years old, when his health no longer allowed it.
Family Life
John Macionis was married to May Johnston for 69 years. They lived in Charlottesville, Virginia. He passed away at the age of 95. John and May had two children: John Johnston Macionis and Robert Gordon Macionis.
