George Bovell III is the most successful swimmer to come out of T&T. Some highlights of his illustrious career include winning bronze in the men’s 200m Individual Medley (IM), capturing five Pan American Medals (2 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze), and five individual NCAA titles. Bovell is currently the fourth fastest man in history of the 50m freestyle. Coming from a family with a history of involvement in sport, it was only natural that Bovell followed suit. His mother, Barbara, was an Olympic runner and a Canadian champion. His father was a successful Collegiate swimmer and T&T Sportsman of the Year. Hiss brother, Nicholas, is also an Olympic swimmer.

From the age of seven, he started competitive swimming. Nine years later, he stepped onto the international stage, competing at the US Open and Pan American Games. In 2000 Bovell enrolled at Auburn University, where he won five individual NCAA titles, eight SEC titles, 25 All American Honours (the most in Auburn history) and was part of the first class in the history of NCAA sports to finish their eligibility undefeated. In the fall of 2004, he suffered a  knee injury that would prevent him from swimming breastroke and competing in the individual medley. This forced him to focus on his second best events—the 100 and 200 freestyles.

In 2006, he trained under Mike Bottom at Cal Berkeley where he learned proper sprinting technique. He followed Bottom to the Raceclub in the Florida Keys in 2007 to train for the 2008 Olympics. In Beijing, he broke the Olympic record in the heats, but was not able to secure a spot in the finals, finishing 11th in the 50 freestyle.  In 2009, Bovell broke the World Championships record and became the fourth fastest man in history in the 50m freestyle. He reunited with the coach who took him to his bronze medal in Athens, Sport Minister Anil Roberts in 2010 and had stellar performances at the World Championships in Dubai, finishing fourth in the 100m IM and 10th in 50m free.  In 2011, Bovell placed seventh in the finals of the World Swimming Championships, proving that he is a medal contender for 2012.

More Info

Name: GEORGE BOVEL III
DOB: July 18, 1983 (Age 29)
College team Auburn Tigers
Height: 6’ 5”
Weight: 205 lbs
Affiliations: Auburn Tigers (Auburn University, US)
Olympic event(s): 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke
Major Achievements: Olympic Bronze Medal (200 IM Olympics 2004)
Performance dates in London
100 metres backstroke  Sunday - Tuesday
100 freestyle Tuesday - Wednesday
50 metres freestyle Thursday - Friday

-Shernice Thomas

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