View source for Rowdy Gaines

{{Short description|American swimmer (born 1959)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox swimmer
| name           = Rowdy Gaines
| image          = Rowdy Gaines 1983.jpg
| image_size     = 
| alt            =
| caption        = Gaines in 1983
| fullname       = Ambrose Gaines IV
| nicknames      = "Rowdy"
| national_team  = {{USA}}
| strokes        = [[Freestyle swimming|Freestyle]]
| club           = 
| collegeteam    = [[Auburn Tigers swimming and diving|Auburn University]]
| birth_date     = {{Birth date and age|1959|2|17|mf=y}}
| birth_place    = [[Winter Haven, Florida]], U.S.
| death_date     = 
| death_place    = 
| height         = 6 ft 1 in
| weight         = 161 lb
| medaltemplates = 
{{MedalCountry | the {{USA}}}}
{{MedalSport | Men's swimming}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Swimming at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
[[File:Olympic rings.svg|center|80px]]
{{MedalGold  | [[1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Los Angeles]] | [[Swimming at the 1984 Summer Olympics - Men's 100 metre freestyle|100 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold  | [[1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Los Angeles]] | [[Swimming at the 1984 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay|4×100 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold  | [[1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Los Angeles]] | [[Swimming at the 1984 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay|4×100 m medley]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[FINA World Aquatics Championships|World Championships (LC)]]}}
{{MedalGold| [[1978 World Aquatics Championships|1978 Berlin]] | 4×100 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold| [[1978 World Aquatics Championships|1978 Berlin]] | 4×200 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold| [[1982 World Aquatics Championships|1982 Guayaquil]] | 4×100 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold| [[1982 World Aquatics Championships|1982 Guayaquil]] | 4×200 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold| [[1982 World Aquatics Championships|1982 Guayaquil]] | 4×100 m medley}}
{{MedalSilver | [[1978 World Aquatics Championships|1978 Berlin]] | 200 m freestyle}}
{{MedalSilver | [[1982 World Aquatics Championships|1982 Guayaquil]] | 100 m freestyle}}
{{MedalSilver | [[1982 World Aquatics Championships|1982 Guayaquil]] | 200 m freestyle}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Pan American Games]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 1979 Pan American Games|1979 San Juan]] | 200 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 1979 Pan American Games|1979 San Juan]] | 4×100 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 1979 Pan American Games|1979 San Juan]] | 4×200 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 1983 Pan American Games|1983 Caracas]] | 100 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 1983 Pan American Games|1983 Caracas]] | 4×100 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 1983 Pan American Games|1983 Caracas]] | 4×200 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 1983 Pan American Games|1983 Caracas]] | 4×100 m medley}}
{{MedalBronze | [[Swimming at the 1983 Pan American Games|1983 Caracas]] | 200 m freestyle}}
}}

'''Ambrose "Rowdy" Gaines IV''' (born February 17, 1959) is an American former competitive [[swimming (sport)|swimmer]], [[United States Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame|U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame]] member, three-time Olympic gold medalist, and member of the [[International Swimming Hall of Fame]]. He is referred to as "The Voice of Swimming", has covered swimming at the [[Olympic Games]] since 1992 in [[1992 Summer Olympics|Barcelona]] and is currently a swimming analyst for television network [[NBC]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-04 |title=Rowdy Gaines |url=https://www.teamusa.com/hall-of-fame/hall-of-fame-members/rowdy-gaines |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=www.teamusa.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Rowdy Gaines |url=https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bio/rowdy-gaines-2 |access-date=2021-07-29 |website=NBC Sports Pressbox |language=en |archive-date=July 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729095556/https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bio/rowdy-gaines-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Early life==
Gaines was born in [[Winter Haven, Florida]] to Jettie Ann and Ambrose "Buddy" Gaines, who met there as water skiers at [[Cypress Gardens]] in the 1950s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Obituary of Jettie Ann Gaines {{!}} Steele's Family Funeral Services|url=https://steelesfamilyfuneralservices.com/tribute/details/22332/Jettie-Gaines/obituary.html|access-date=2021-07-29|website=steelesfamilyfuneralservices.com|language=en-US|archive-date=July 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729094545/https://steelesfamilyfuneralservices.com/tribute/details/22332/Jettie-Gaines/obituary.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Gaines tried several sports during his teenage years, but turned to swimming as a [[Winter Haven High School]] junior<ref name=":0" /> at age 17.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 18, 2012 |title=5 Questions with...Rowdy Gaines |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/5-questions-withrowdy-gaines |access-date=2021-07-29 |website=RSN |language=en |archive-date=July 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729094555/https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/5-questions-withrowdy-gaines |url-status=live }}</ref> He received a swimming scholarship to [[Auburn University]]. At Auburn, he became a five-time [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] champion under the training of head coach [[Richard Quick]].

==Career==
From 1978 to 1984, Gaines set 10 world records. At the time, he was the world record holder in the 100-meter and 200-meter freestyles. The [[1980 Olympic boycott|1980 boycott]] prevented Gaines from competing at the [[1980 Summer Olympics|1980 Moscow Olympics]]. Gaines said the boycott came at a time when he considered himself at his peak, and that he believed he missed an opportunity for four gold medals.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.yourswimlog.com/rowdy-gaines-swim-regret-free/ |title=Rowdy Gaines: The Importance of Swimming Regret-Free |date=2018-10-23 |work=YourSwimLog.com |access-date=2018-10-30 |language=en-US |archive-date=October 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031054004/https://www.yourswimlog.com/rowdy-gaines-swim-regret-free/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Gaines qualified for the [[1984 Summer Olympics]] in Los Angeles, California. He won gold in the 100-meter freestyle and two gold medals for relays, swimming the anchor legs for the U.S. team in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay and 4×100-meter medley relay.<ref>[https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ga/rowdy-gaines-1.html Rowdy Gaines] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107071016/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ga/rowdy-gaines-1.html |date=November 7, 2012 }}. sports-reference.com</ref>

Gaines said he experienced mental health issues after missing out on the 1980 Games and had "some real trouble post-Olympics, and...some big struggles, especially the year after."<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=July 22, 2021 |title=Transcript: Summer Olympics 2021: Rowdy Gaines |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/2021/07/22/transcript-summer-olympics-2021-rowdy-gaines/ |access-date=July 29, 2021 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

==Commentating==
He began covering  swimming for NBC at the Atlanta [[1996 Summer Olympics]]. He also was the analyst at the Sydney [[2000 Summer Olympics]], the Athens [[2004 Summer Olympics]], the Beijing [[2008 Summer Olympics]], the London [[2012 Summer Olympics]], the Rio [[2016 Summer Olympics]], the Tokyo [[2020 Summer Olympics]] held in 2021, and the Paris [[2024 Summer Olympics]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />  Gaines announced on Instagram that the Los Angeles [[2028 Summer Olympics]] will be his last, announcing his retirement to be a full time grandfather.

At the 2011 Short Course Masters Nationals, Gaines broke his national record in the 50–54 division 50 yard freestyle (21.36).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usms.org/comp/scnats11/results/index.php?MeetID=20110428scnatsY&ag=7&s=M&f=m7 |title=Results |access-date=2011-05-02 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504164207/http://www.usms.org/comp/scnats11/results/index.php?MeetID=20110428scnatsY&ag=7&s=M&f=m7 |archive-date=May 4, 2011 |df=mdy-all}}. 2011 Spring National Championships. usms.org</ref> On July 16, 2011, Gaines broke the 50–54 Age Group record in the long course 100m freestyle with a time of 54.6.<ref>{{cite web |author=Keith, Braden |url=http://theswimmerscircle.com/blog/featured/in-briefs-rowdy-gaines-breaks-masters-world-record-in-japan/ |date=July 16, 2011 |title=In Briefs: Rowdy Gaines Breaks Masters World Record in Japan &#124; SwimmersCircle &#124; Where Swimmers, Coaches and Fans Belong |publisher=SwimmersCircle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721214904/http://theswimmerscircle.com/blog/featured/in-briefs-rowdy-gaines-breaks-masters-world-record-in-japan/ |archive-date=July 21, 2011}}</ref>

Gaines is the executive director of Rowdy’s Kidz, a wellness initiative developed and supported by The Limu Company that reaches out to children across the country.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=ROWDY GAINES |url=https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bio/rowdy-gaines |access-date=July 19, 2021 |website=NBC Sports Group Press Box |language=en |archive-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721193233/https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bio/rowdy-gaines/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Gaines and his wife, Judy, reside in [[Lake Mary, Florida]], with their four daughters.<ref name=":0" />

==Awards==
* International Swimming Hall of Fame<ref name=ishofprofile>{{cite web |url=http://www.ishof.org/rowdy-gaines-(usa).html |title=Rowdy Gaines (USA) |website=ISHOF.org |publisher=[[International Swimming Hall of Fame]] |access-date=March 17, 2015 |archive-date=February 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214070717/http://www.ishof.org/rowdy-gaines-(usa).html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame
* Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
* Florida Sports Hall of Fame<ref name="NCAA Silver">{{cite web |url=http://auburntigers.cstv.com/sports/c-swim/spec-rel/010707aaa.html |title=Former Auburn Swimmers Denniston and Gaines Receive NCAA Awards |publisher=Auburn University Athletic Department |date=January 7, 2007 |access-date=January 8, 2007 |archive-date=August 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080825053928/http://auburntigers.cstv.com/sports/c-swim/spec-rel/010707aaa.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Southeastern Conference Athlete of the Year 1981
* 1982 McDonald's Spirit Award<ref name="NCAA Silver" />
* 2007 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award<ref name="NCAA Silver" />
* [[Golden Goggle Awards]], Alumni of the Year: 2024<ref>{{cite web|url=https://swimswam.com/2024-golden-goggle-awards-live-recap/| title=2024 Golden Goggle Awards- Live Recap|work=SwimSwam |date=November 23, 2024 |access-date=November 23, 2024}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame]]
* [[List of Auburn University people]]
* [[List of multiple Olympic gold medalists]]
* [[List of multiple Olympic gold medalists at a single Games]]
* [[List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men)]]
* [[List of World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming (men)]]
* [[World record progression 50 metres freestyle]]
* [[World record progression 100 metres freestyle]]
* [[World record progression 200 metres freestyle]]
* [[World record progression 4 × 100 metres freestyle relay]]
* [[World record progression 4 × 100 metres medley relay]]
* [[World record progression 4 × 200 metres freestyle relay]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Bibliography ==
* Caraccioli, Jerry, & Tom Caraccioli, ''Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games'', New Chapter Press, Washington, D.C. (2009).  {{ISBN|978-0-942257-54-0}}.
* De George, Matthew, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=dDH7AwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Geoff+Gaberino%22&pg=PA13  Pooling Talent: Swimming's Greatest Teams]'', Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham, Maryland (2014).  {{ISBN|978-1-4422-3701-8}}.

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523102940/http://pmgsports.com/new/swimming_rowdy_gaines.html |date=May 23, 2009 |title=Rowdy Gaines at PMG Sports}}
* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/features/si50/states/alabama/essay/ Gaines' Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary essay] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716181657/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/features/si50/states/alabama/essay/ |date=July 16, 2012 }}
* {{Team USA Hall of Fame|new_id=rowdy-gaines|old_id=Rowdy-Gaines|archive=20230624201620}}
* {{Olympics.com profile}}
* {{Olympedia}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{succession box
| before = [[Chris Cavanaugh (swimmer)|Chris Cavanaugh]]
| title = [[World record progression 50 metres freestyle|Men's 50-meter freestyle<br>world record-holder (long course)]]
| years = April 10, 1980 – April 10, 1980
| after = [[Bruce Stahl]]
}}
{{succession box
| before = [[Jonty Skinner]]
| title = [[World record progression 100 metres freestyle|Men's 100-meter freestyle<br>world record-holder (long course)]]
| years = April 3, 1981 – August 6, 1985
| after = [[Matt Biondi]]
}}
{{succession box
| before = [[Sergey Kopliakov]]
| title = [[World record progression 200 metres freestyle|Men's 200-meter freestyle<br>world record-holder (long course)]]
| years = April 11, 1980 – June 21, 1983
| after = [[Michael Gross (swimmer)|Michael Gross]]
}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{succession box
| title = [[Swimming World Swimmers of the Year|''Swimming World''<br>World Swimmer of the Year]]
| before = None
| after = [[Alex Baumann]]
| years = 1980
}}
{{s-end}}

{{Navboxes
|title=Articles related to Rowdy Gaines
|list1=
{{Footer USA Swimming 1980 Summer Olympics}}
{{Footer USA Swimming 1984 Summer Olympics}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions 100 m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions 4x100 m Freestyle Relay Men}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions 4x100 m Medley Relay Men}}
{{Footer World LC Champions 4x100m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer World LC Champions 4x200m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer World LC Champions 4x100m Medley Men}}
{{Footer Pan American Champions 100 m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer Pan American Champions 200 m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer Pan American Champions 4x100 m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer Pan American Champions 4x200 m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer Pan American Champions 4x100 m Medley Men}}
{{SEC Male Athlete of the Year}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaines, Rowdy}}
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American male freestyle swimmers]]
[[Category:American television sports commentators]]
[[Category:Auburn Tigers men's swimmers]]
[[Category:World record setters in swimming]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in swimming]]
[[Category:Swimmers from Florida]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 1979 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 1983 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 1984 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1984 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:People from Lake Mary, Florida]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Seminole County, Florida]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Winter Haven, Florida]]
[[Category:Swimming commentators]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1979 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1983 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States in swimming]]
[[Category:Pan American Games bronze medalists for the United States in swimming]]
[[Category:Southeastern Conference Athlete of the Year winners]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]