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Tom Dolan
- Former world record-holder in 400m IM
- Gold medalist (400m IM) and silver medalist (200m IM) at 2000 Olympic Games
- 1994 and 1998 World Champion in 400m IM
- First American man to break two minute barrier in 200m IM
- Gold medalist in the 400m IM at 1996 Olympic Games
- Featured on a Wheaties box cover after 1996 Olympic Games.
- Suffers from chronic asthma.
- Spokesperson for the American Lung Association.
- Started swimming because his older sister swam and he wanted to beat her.
- Two-time USA Swimming "Swimmer of the Year" (1994, 1995).
- Graduated from University of Michigan (class of 1998).
- 1995 NCAA Swimmer of the Year.
- Gave up his last year of college eligibility to turn professional after the 1996 Olympic Games.
- 1995 and 1995 USA Swimming "Swimmer of the Year" and Sullivan Award nominee.
- Played baseball and basketball before committing to swimming at around age 12.
Not only does Dolan suffer from exercised-induced asthma, but he has a restricted air pipe that only allows about 20 percent of the air a normal person breathes in. "It's just another adversity that I have to overcome with my asthma," he said. "It's definitely helped me focus more, not only on swimming, but also in my life outside of swimming." The condition is treated with a limited selection of Olympic-approved medications and an inhaler that he keeps poolside.
Related Links
Ask an Olympian: What have you been doing since retirement?
On being a role model: "I think that a lot of athletes nowadays don't realize how much of an impact just one signature has on a little kid. I know that when I was little and I got autographs from swimmers what an impact it's had on me. I still remember
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Height: 6' 6
Born: 9/15/1975
Hometown: Arlington, Va.
Resides: Arlington, Va.
Sport: Swimming
Event: 200m & 400m ind. Medley, 200m back
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