Aaron Peirsol is a swimmer who has competed for the United States. He competed at the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
When he first competed in Sydney 2000, as a 17-year-old, Peirsol trailed the leader and his teammate Lenny Krayzelburg by 0.59 of a second to take a silver with his personal best of 1:57.35.
Peirsol has continued to be a member of the U.S. swimming team at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. In 2004, he claimed two individual golds in both the 100 and 200 metres backstroke, the latter of which with a new Olympic record. The feat made him become the fifth swimmer and fourth American to strike the men's backstroke double, following Roland Matthes, John Naber, Richard Carey, and Krayzelburg. He also helped the U.S. men's team of Brendan Hansen, Ian Crocker, and Jason Lezak solidify a gold-medal triumph with a new world record time (3:30.68) in the 4x100 metres medley relay. While leading off the relay for the U.S. team, Peirsol shaved Krayzelburg's 1999 world record by 0.15 seconds in the backstroke leg.
At Beijing 2008, Peirsol defended his title in the 100 metres backstroke, lowering his own world record to 52.54. He also enjoyed a duel with Ryan Lochte throughout the race in the 200, until the latter passed him at the final lap to snatch a gold, leaving Peirsol with a silver in 1:54.33, a hundredth of a second (0.01) short of his personal best. With this feat, Peirsol became the first man to attain three medals in the event's history. He also teamed with Hansen, Michael Phelps, and Lezak to clear the 3:30 barrier with a new world record time (3:29.34) and defend their title for the seventh straight streak in the 4x100 metres medley relay.
On 2 February 2011, Peirsol retired from the sport, ending his Olympic swimming career with a medal haul of seven (five gold and two silver).
Olympic Results[]
| Year | Event | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Men's 200m backstroke | 
|
| 2004 | Men's 100m backstroke | 
|
| Men's 200m backstroke |
| |
| Men's 4x100m medley relay |
| |
| 2008 | Men's 100m backstroke |
|
| Men's 200m backstroke |
| |
| Men's 4x100m medley relay |
|
2000[]
| Discipline | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 200 metres backstroke | Heats | 1:59.10 |
| Semifinal | 1:58.44 | |
| Final | 1:57.35 |
2004[]
| Discipline | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 metres backstroke | Heats | 54.65 | |
| Semifinal | 54.34 | ||
| Final | 54.06 | ||
| 200 metres backstroke | Heats | 1:57.33 | |
| Semifinal | 1:55.14 | OR | |
| Final | 1:54.95 | OR | |
| 4x100 metres medley relay | Heats | 3:35.10 (Reserve) |
|
| Final | 3:30.68 (53.45 split, WR) |
WR |
2008[]
| Discipline | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 metres backstroke | Heats | 53.65 | |
| Semifinal | 53.56 | ||
| Final | 52.54 | WR | |
| 200 metres backstroke | Heats | 1:56.35 | |
| Semifinal | 1:55.26 | ||
| Final | 1:54.33 | ||
| 4x100 metres medley relay | Heats | 3:32.75 (Reserve) |
|
| Final | 3:29.34 (53.16 split) |
WR |