Michael Klim

1977 -

Michael Klim won six Olympic medals in his glittering swimming career, proving himself one of the most versatile and popular swimmers of his generation. A triple Olympian, Klim won medals at each of the three Olympics he participated in: bronze in the men’s 4x100m medley relay in 1996; gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay and 4x200m freestyle relay and silver in the men’s 4x100m medley relay and men’s 100m butterfly in 2000; and silver in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay in 2004. He is most fondly remembered as one of Australia’s finest relay swimmers – five of his Olympic medals were won in relays. His relay feats include his unforgettable lead-off swim in the 4x100m freestyle final on the first night of competition in Sydney, in which he broke the 100m world record and set up Australia’s famous ‘smash ‘em like guitars’ victory. Klim also excelled on the international stage at the world championships, Commonwealth Games and Pan-Pacs. Outside the Olympics his most memorable event was the 1998 World Swimming Championships in Perth, where he won seven medals, including four gold, and was crowned the male swimmer of the meet. He retired from swimming in 2007.