Roy Saari, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

    

Roy Saari

American swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, former world record-holder, lawyer

Date of Birth: 26-Feb-1945

Place of Birth: Buffalo, New York, United States

Date of Death: 30-Dec-2008

Profession: lawyer, swimmer

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Pisces


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About Roy Saari

  • Roy Allen Saari (February 26, 1945 – December 30, 2008) was an American swimmer and water polo player.
  • He qualified for the 1964 Summer Olympics in both disciplines, and chose swimming, as the Olympic rules of the time did not allow him to compete in two sports.
  • He won a gold medal as a member of the first-place U.S.
  • team in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, setting a new world record in the final with teammates Steve Clark, Gary Ilman and Don Schollander (7:52.1).
  • Individually he earned a silver medal in the 400-meter individual medley (4:47.1).
  • He also advanced to the finals of the 400-meter freestyle and 1,500-meter freestyle, placing fourth and seventh, respectively.
  • Before the Olympics Saari became the first person to break the 17 minute barrier over 1500 m, but in the Olympic final he was suffering from a cold and clocked a mere 17:29.2.Roy was the middle of three children of Urho and Wanda Saari.
  • His father coached the 1964 Olympic water polo team, which included his son and Roy's younger brother Robert.
  • Roy attended the University of Southern California, and swam for the USC Trojans swimming and diving team.
  • He also played water polo, at the national level.
  • He graduated from USC in 1967, and received his law degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1973.
  • Between 1973 and 1978 he practiced law in Orange County, California, and then worked as a real estate agent and planning commissioner in Mammoth Lakes, California.Saari died December 30, 2008 of heart failure, aged 63.
  • He was survived by his wife of 41 years, Sheryl, his siblings Carol and Robert, daughter Joani and son Jeff.
  • Earlier in 1976 he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

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