Aaron Wells Peirsol or popularly known as Aaron Peirsol, is a former professional swimmer, backstroke specialist, and world record holder. Throughout his career, Peirsol became a three-time Olympian and an Olympic medalist as well. In this article, we are going to talk about some interesting facts about Aaron Peirsol.
Aaron Peirsol is an alumnus of the University of Texas
Even if Peirsol was born in Newport Beach, CA, he decided to study political science at the University of Texas in Austin. During his stay at the University of Texas and with the Texas Longhorns, Aaron Peirsol managed to earn the title of NCAA Swimmer of the Year in 2003 when he was still a freshman
Aaron Peirsol Decided to Go Pro in Before Graduating College
Peirsol was 20 years old when he finished his sophomore year in 2004; after that, he decided to go professional. That is why he had to give up the two years he had in the NCAA collegiate eligibility. Along with that, Arron Peirsol decided to sign a contract with Nike then began training under the supervision of Eddie Reese and Kris Kubik.
Aaron Peirsol also won 36 medals in several major international swimming competitions
Besides competing at the Olympics, Peirsol also competed in other international competitions such as the American Championships, World Championships, and Pan Pacific Championships. Aaron Peirsol won a total of 36 medals where he bagged one bronze, six silver, and 29 gold medals in all of those international swimming competitions.
Aside from being an amazing and talented swimmer, Aaron Peirsol also became a spokesman for Oceana
Oceana, an international ocean conservatory group that aims to “Protecting The World’s Oceans,” chose Aaron Peirsol to be their spokesman. Aside from being Oceana’s spokesman, Peirsol also became an ambassador for the Global Water Foundation as well as the Surfrider Foundation.
Aaron Peirsol said that he “ended up doing everything I set out to do.”
Peirsol said those exact words when he was asked to describe his reason behind retiring from swimming. Thus, on February 2, 2011, when he was 27 years old, Aaron Peirsol decided to retire from professional swimming.
Aaron Peirsol is an International Swimming Hall of Fame Inductee
In 2016, Aaron Peirsol was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2016, and Michael Phelps’ longtime swimming coach Bob Bowman and Dara Torres.
In 2005, Aaron Peirsol was hailed as American Swimmer of the Year 2005
Most people probably know that Michael Phelps was hailed as the American Swimmer of the Year every year between 2003 and 2009. However, in 2005 Peirsol managed to take home this title.
Throughout his career, Aaron Peirsol won 7 Medals at 3 Olympic Games
Aaron Peirsol was able to win medals at every Olympic Games he competed in.
- 2000 Sydney Olympics– Aaron Peirsol was just 17 when he competed in the Sydney Olympics in 2000. He bagged the silver medal in the 200-meter backstroke.
- 2004 Athens Olympics– Peirsol managed to win gold in both the 100 and 200-meter backstroke and the 4×100 meter medley relay. He was just 21 years old when he competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
- 2008 Beijing Olympics– When Peirsol joined the 2008 Beijing Olympics at the age of 25, he took home the gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke and the 4×100 meter medley relay. Aside from that, he also managed to win the silver medal in the 200-meter backstroke.
These achievements made Aaron Peirsol a three-time Olympian and a seven-time Olympic medalist. Throughout his career, Peirsol took home five gold and two silver Olympic medals.
- Aaron Peirsol holds the World Record for 200 Meter LC Backstroke.
Aaron Peirsol set a record when he swam at the World Championships in Rome, Italy, on July 31, 2009. He still holds the world record for the men’s 200-meter long course backstroke. Aside from that, Aaron Peirsol also has the world record in the men’s long course 4×100 meter medley relay along with his teammates Michael Phelps, Eric Shanteau, and David Walters.
