Max Metzker
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| Olympic medal record | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Swimming | |||
| Bronze | 1980 Moscow | 1500 m Freestyle | |
Maxwell ("Max") Metzker (born March 8, 1960 in Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa) was an Australian long distance freestyle swimmer of the late 1970s and early 1980s, who won a bronze medal in the 1500 m freestyle at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. He was a co-flagbearer with Denise Boyd at the opening ceremony, when Australia marched under the Olympic flag to boycott the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Metzker first showed his international pedigree in the pool at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, coming sixth in the 1500 m freestyle and 13th in the 400 m event.
He had his first international success at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada, winning a gold and bronze medal in the 1500 and 400 m freestyle respectively. He also claimed a gold medal in the 4x200 m freestyle relay.
In Moscow, Metzker trailed the great Soviet Union swimmer Vladimir Salnikov home by some 25 m. Salnikov broke the world record, being the first man to break the 15 minute barrier. Metzker was pipped to the silver by just 0.19s by Salnikov's compatriot Aleksandr Chaev. Metzker also reached the final of the 400 m freestyle and the 4x200 m freestyle relay, finishing seventh in both. Metzker bowed out of international competition with another gold in the 1500 m freestyle at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.
[edit] References
- Andrews, Malcolm (2000). Australia at the Olympic Games.
