Aaron Peirsol

Aaron Wells Peirsol (born July 23, 1983) is an American backstroke swimmer and world record holder for the 100 and 200 m backstroke (long course). He participated in the 2000 Summer Olympics, 2004 Summer Olympics, and 2008 Summer Olympics, capturing a total of seven medals. He is best known for sweeping the gold medals in the backstroke at the

Athens games. Peirsol has also won the world championships in the 100 meter backstroke in 2003, 2005 and 2007, and won 200 meter backstroke in 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2009. Peirsol was born in Irvine, California. He swam collegiately at the University of Texas at Austin. He is an alumnus of Newport Harbor High School. Aaron and his sister's (Hayley) first swim team was at the NCMY (Newport Costa Mesa YMCA). After leaving NCMY, he trained with the Irvine Novaquatics. He trains with fellow world record holders and gold medalists Garrett Weber-Gale, Ian Crocker, Brendan Hansen, and Neil Walker under the guidance of Eddie Reese. At the age of 17, Peirsol competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics finishing behind Lenny Krayzelburg in the 200 m backstroke, who swept the backstroke events. In winning the silver medal, Peirsol was considered by many to be