Sammy Lee (diver) facts for kids
Lee at the 1952 Olympics
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nationality | American | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | August 1, 1920 Fresno, California, U.S. |
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| Died | December 2, 2016 (aged 96) Newport Beach, California, U.S. |
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| Resting place | Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | Occidental College (B.S.) University of Southern California School of Medicine (M.D.) |
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| Spouse(s) | Rosalind Wong | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Military career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
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| Service/ |
 United States Army Medical Corps |
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| Years of service | 1947-1955 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank |  Major |
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| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Diving | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Samuel "Sammy" Lee (born August 1, 1920 – died December 2, 2016) was an American doctor and an amazing diver. He made history as the first Asian American man to win an Olympic gold medal for the United States. He was also the first man to win two gold medals in a row in Olympic platform diving.
Contents
Early Life and His Dream to Dive
Sammy Lee was born in Fresno, California. His parents were from Korea and owned a small restaurant. When Sammy was 12 years old, he lived near Los Angeles. He saw all the excitement for the Summer Olympics happening there. This made him want to become an Olympic champion in diving. He found he was really good at doing somersaults!
Sammy's family moved to Highland Park in Los Angeles. Back then, public pools had unfair rules. People of color, like Sammy, could only use the pool in Pasadena on "international day." This was usually the day before the pool was cleaned. Because he couldn't practice often, his coach helped him. They dug a pit in his backyard and filled it with sand. Sammy practiced his dives by jumping into the sand pit.
Sammy went to Franklin High School. Later, he studied at Occidental College and then the University of Southern California School of Medicine. He became a doctor in 1947. He joined the Army Reserve to help pay for his medical school.
Sammy's Amazing Diving Career
Sammy Lee trained with a famous diving coach named Jim Ryan. In 1942, Sammy won the United States National Diving Championships. He won both the 3-meter springboard and the 10-meter platform events. He was the first person of color to win a national diving championship in the U.S. He won the 10-meter platform event again in 1946.
At the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, England, Sammy won two medals. He earned a bronze medal in the 3-meter springboard event. He also won a gold medal in the 10-meter platform diving. He was the second Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal. The first was Vicki Draves, who won her gold medal two days before him.
Serving His Country and Helping People
Four years later, in 1952, Sammy was a major in the United States Army Medical Corps. He was sent to compete in the Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. He was told he "better win!" And he did! He won another gold medal in the 10-meter platform competition.
After the Olympics, Sammy served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in South Korea from 1953 to 1955. He specialized in treating ear diseases. In 1953, he won the James E. Sullivan Award. This award goes to the best amateur athlete in the United States each year.
Even after his Olympic wins, Sammy faced unfair treatment. In 1954, he tried to buy a home in Garden Grove, California. Some people tried to stop him because of his background. But Sammy kept looking and found a home elsewhere. He worked as an ear, nose, and throat doctor for 35 years, retiring in 1990.
Coaching Future Champions
After his own diving career, Sammy Lee became a coach. He helped many divers, including two-time Olympic gold medalist Bob Webster. He also coached Greg Louganis, who later won a silver medal at the 1976 Olympics when he was only 16. Sammy also coached Olympic medalist Pat McCormick.
In 1979, Sammy Lee played himself in a movie called Silent Victory: The Kitty O'Neil Story. The movie was about stuntwoman Kitty O'Neil, whom Sammy had coached in diving.
Awards and Recognition
Sammy Lee received many honors for his achievements.
- He was added to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1968.
- He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1990.
- In 2010, a square in Los Angeles' Koreatown was named "Sammy Lee Square" after him.
- He also has a spot on the Anaheim/Orange County Walk of Stars.
- In 2013, an elementary school in Los Angeles was renamed the Dr. Sammy Lee Medical and Health Sciences Magnet School in his honor.
Family Life and Passing
Sammy Lee was married to Rosalind Wong. They had a daughter and a son. Sammy Lee passed away on December 2, 2016, at his home in Newport Beach, California. He was 96 years old.
See also
- List of members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
