Simon Burnett facts for kids
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| Born | 14 April 1983 Oxford, England |
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| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 83 kg (183 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sport | Swimming | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strokes | Freestyle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Wycombe District | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College team | University of Arizona (U.S.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Simon Andrew Burnett, born on April 14, 1983, is a former English swimmer. He swam for Great Britain in the Olympics and European championships. He also represented England in the Commonwealth Games. Simon used to hold British records for 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle events. He studied and swam at the University of Arizona in the United States from 2001 to 2006. In 2007, he signed a sponsorship deal with Nike.
Contents
Simon Burnett's Swimming Journey
Early Life and Training
Simon was born in Oxford, England, at the John Radcliffe Hospital. He grew up in the Oxfordshire villages of Chinnor and Tetsworth. Simon attended Lord Williams's School and later John Hampden Grammar School. There he studied chemistry, biology, and physics.
He started swimming at a very young age at Wycombe District Swimming Pool. Soon after, he joined the Wycombe District Swimming Club. He trained there until 2003. His coach, Bob Pay, helped him focus on swimming. In 2003, Simon won a sports scholarship to the University of Arizona. He went there to study business.
International Competitions and Success
Simon began competing internationally in 2000. This was at the 3 Nations Junior International event. In 2001 and 2002, he won gold medals in the 50-meter backstroke. This was at the ASA National Championships.
In 2003, his coach suggested he switch to freestyle swimming. Simon quickly became very good at it. His first time on television was at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. He won a bronze medal in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay.
At the next Olympic Games, Simon finished 7th in the 200-meter freestyle. His 4×200-meter freestyle relay team finished 4th. They were very close to winning bronze medals. Before these Games, Simon had a great British trial. He won a silver medal in the 100-meter freestyle. He also won a gold medal in the 200-meter freestyle. This was impressive because he had broken his wrist two months earlier. He was becoming a top British swimmer.
While swimming for the University of Arizona, Simon competed in the American NCAAs. He won gold in the 200-yard freestyle in his first year. He won again in 2005. That year was one of his best. He returned to England for the ASA National Championships. He won three gold medals there. These were in the 50-meter, 100-meter, and 200-meter freestyle events. All of them were new British records. In the United States, he also broke a 17-year-old record. This was for the 200-yard freestyle. He swam it in 1:32.22.
Commonwealth Games Achievements
At the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Simon won a silver medal. This was in the 200-meter freestyle. His time was 1:47.38. His teammate, Ross Davenport, won gold. Simon was also part of the 4×100-meter freestyle relay team. They finished fourth.
However, the 4×200-meter freestyle race was amazing. The English team won the gold medal. They beat Scotland and Australia. The next day, Simon won an individual gold medal. This was in the 100-meter freestyle. He beat South African swimmers Ryk Neethling and Roland Schoeman. Simon set a Commonwealth Games record with a time of 48.57 seconds. He also broke his own British record.
NCAA Records and Olympic Appearances
After the Commonwealth Games, Simon went to Atlanta. He competed in the 2006 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships. He finished third in the 50-yard freestyle. He was second in the 4×50-yard freestyle relay. He also won first place in the 4×50-yard medley for his team.
Simon won the NCAA title in the 200-yard freestyle. He set a U.S. Open Record with a time of 1:31.20. This record stood for 10 years. It was broken by Townley Haas in 2016.
Simon represented Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He competed in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay event.
Supporting the Community
In March 2009, Simon became a patron for the new Thame Swimming Club. This club is located at Lord Williams's Upper School. He visits the swimmers and helps with training when he is in the UK. In 2010, Simon also became a patron for UCARE. This is an Oxfordshire charity. It focuses on research and education for urological cancers. Simon is a strong supporter of UCARE. He helps raise money and awareness for the charity. He even dedicated his medal to UCARE at the Commonwealth Games.
Coaching Career
In June 2015, Simon Burnett started a new role. He joined the Pacific Tigers men's swimming and diving team. He became an assistant coach for the team.
Swimming Personal Bests
Long Course (50 m Pool)
- 50 m freestyle: 22.12 (July 21, 2005, Sheffield, Commonwealth Trials)
- 100 m freestyle: 48.20 (August 18, 2008, Beijing, Olympic Games)
Short Course (25 m Pool)
- 100 m freestyle: 48.83 (August 14, 2003, Stockport, British Swimming SC Champs)
- 200 m freestyle: 1:45.24 (December 14, 2003, Dublin, European SC Championships)
See also
- List of British records in swimming
- List of Commonwealth Games medallists in swimming (men)
