Canadian · Prague, Czechoslovakia · Born 21 April 1964Alexander Baumann is a Canadian former swimmer who won two Olympic gold medals in world-record times at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, ending Canada's 72-year wait for an Olympic swimming title.
Alexander Baumann entered the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as world record holder in both individual medley events despite the deaths of his father and brother in the months before the Games, then set new world records in both the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley to deliver Canada's first Olympic swimming gold since 1912. He set a world record in the 200m individual medley at just 17 in 1981, and won gold in both individual medley events at the 1982 Commonwealth Games while serving as Canada's flag bearer. Baumann entered the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as world record holder in both individual medley events despite the deaths of his father and brother in the lead-up to the Games, and chronic shoulder tendinitis. Selected as Canada's flag bearer for the opening ceremony, he won the 400m individual medley in a world-record 4:17.41, Canada's first Olympic swimming gold since 1912, and five days later won the 200m individual medley in a world-record 2:01.42, becoming one of only a handful of Canadians to win two Olympic golds at a single Games. Baumann added two World Championship medals in 1986 and remained undefeated in his signature events from 1981 to 1986, winning five Commonwealth Games golds in total and setting 32 Canadian records. He retired from competition and pursued graduate studies in Australia, going on to a career in sports administration, leading Queensland Swimming, Canada's Own the Podium program, and later serving as chief executive of High Performance Sport New Zealand. He continued competing at masters level, setting an age-group world record in 2009, and successfully overcame two bouts of cancer.
Two Olympic gold medals in world-record times at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, ending Canada's 72-year swimming gold drought
How They Played
All-around individual medley specialist proficient in all four strokes
Lasting Impact
One of only a handful of Canadians to win two Olympic gold medals, and a respected international sports administrator after retiring
Career Honours
- 2x Olympic gold (1984, 200m and 400m individual medley), both world records
- 5x Commonwealth Games gold
- First Canadian swimming gold since 1912
- Lionel Conacher Award (1984)
Canadian Athletes