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Lenny Krayzelburg
- Four-time Olympic gold medalist from the 2000, 2004 Olympic Games
- Swept the backstroke events and led off the world-record breaking medley relay at the 2000 Sydney Games; earned a gold medal in Athens swimming on the medley relay in prelims, was fourth in the 100m back
- At one point, owned all six world records in backstroke, long course and short course
- 1999 and 2000 USA Swimming "Swimmer of the Year "
- 1998 World Champion in 100m and 200m back
- Born in the former Odessa, Russia; now called Odessa, Ukraine (he speaks fluent Russian).
- Emigrated to the United States in 1989 with his family and became a U.S. citizen in 1995.
- Father, Oleg, is a chef and mother, Yelena, previously an accountant in the Ukraine, is a pharmacy technician.
- Visited Ukraine with his family in 1998
- Majored in finance and investment at University of Southern California.
- Is preparing for a future in broadcasting (provided commentary on Moscow television stations for the 2002 Short Course World Championships)
- Had surgery on his left shoulder to repair a torn muscle in 2001 and 2003
- Played high school basketball and is an avid Los Angeles Lakers fan.
- Likes to read history books.
- Featured in People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People issue in 2000 as an "Olympic Beauty."
- Formed the Lenny Krayzelburg Foundation to support swimming in the inner city
Krayzelburg comes from a Russian Jewish heritage and when he couldn't compete at the Maccabiah Games in 1993 and 1997, he felt disappointed. But he made up for it in 2001, skipping the World Championships to swim at the Maccabiah Games in Israel instead, where he won two golds.
Related Links
Photo gallery: 2002 Summer National Championships
Photo gallery: Swimming's underwater world
Ask an Olympian: Any change in your training approach?
On winning his first gold medal at the 2000 Olympic Games: "When I heard the Star Spangled Banner, I thought about everything I went through to get here. I just tried to savor the moment. I'm a huge sports fan, and I get very emotional watching other people's victories, so for me it was incredible standing there. In the eyes of the world there is nothing bigger for an athlete than the Olympic Games. I have to represent America in a certain way--with class and with dignity."
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Height: 6' 2
Born: 9/28/1975
Hometown: Odessa, Russia (Ukraine)
Resides: Studio City, Calif.
Sport: Swimming
Event: 100m, 200m backstroke
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