William Yorzyk facts for kids
Yorzyk in 1956
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nickname(s) | "Bill" | |||||||||||||||||||
| Born | May 29, 1933 Northampton, Massachusetts |
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| Died | September 2, 2020 (aged 87) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 163 lb (74 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Swimming | |||||||||||||||||||
| Strokes | Butterfly, freestyle | |||||||||||||||||||
| Club | New Haven Swim Club | |||||||||||||||||||
| College team | Springfield College | |||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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William Albert Yorzyk Jr. (born May 29, 1933 – died September 2, 2020) was an amazing American swimmer. He was an Olympic champion and even held a world record once! People often called him "Bill."
Bill Yorzyk was known for his strong butterfly and freestyle swimming styles. He achieved many great things in the pool during his career.
Olympic Gold Medalist
Bill Yorzyk represented the United States at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. This was a very special event for him.
He made history by becoming the first swimmer ever to win a gold medal in the new 200-meter butterfly race. He finished the final with a time of 2 minutes and 19.3 seconds. This was a huge moment for swimming!
Life and Achievements
Bill Yorzyk was not just a great swimmer; he was also very smart. He continued to swim in competitions while he studied at medical school. He went to the University of Toronto to become a doctor.
After medical school, Bill served as a doctor in the United States Air Force. He was a captain in their Medical Corps.
In 1958, he won a big national swimming competition. It was the U.S. AAU indoor championship for the 220-yard butterfly. His college, Springfield College, also recognized his talents. They gave him the Bickle Prize in both 1958 and 1959. This award was for being their best student-athlete.
Hall of Fame
In 1971, Bill Yorzyk was honored for his amazing swimming career. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. This means he is recognized as one of the best swimmers of all time. He was called an "Honor Swimmer."
Later Life
William Yorzyk passed away on September 2, 2020, at the age of 87. He left behind a legacy as a pioneering Olympic swimmer and a dedicated professional.
See also
- List of members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
- List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men)
- List of Springfield University alumni
