Jerome Alan Heidenreich (February 4, 1950 – April 18, 2002) was an American competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and former world record-holder. He competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, where he received gold medals in the 4×100-meter medley relay, and 4×100-meter freestyle relay.[2] He received a silver medal in 100-meter freestyle, and a bronze medal in 100-meter butterfly.
![]() Heidenreich (right) and Mark Spitz at the 1972 Olympics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | Jerome Alan Heidenreich | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nickname(s) | "Jerry", "The Poet" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National team | United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | (1950-02-04)February 4, 1950 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | April 18, 2002(2002-04-18) (aged 52) Paris, Texas, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 161 lb (73 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | Swimming | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Strokes | Butterfly, freestyle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
College team | Southern Methodist University | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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He set six world records during his swimming career, all as a relay team member.
Heidenreich was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Swimmer" in 1992.[3]
He became a swimming coach in the 1980s. He was married three times.[4] In July 2001, Heidenreich had a mild stroke which left him with a degree of paralysis on his left side. On April 18, 2002 he took his own life with an overdose of prescription medicine at his home in Paris, Texas.[4][5]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jerry Heidenreich. |
1972 USA Olympic swimming team | ||
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Men's team |
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Women's team |
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Coaches |
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Pan American Champions in Men's 4 × 100 m freestyle relay | |
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Pan American Champions in Men's 4 × 200 m freestyle relay | |
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