Mike Troy

Michael Francis Troy (October 3, 1940 – August 3, 2019) was an American competitive swimmer, a two-time Olympic champion, and world record-holder in three events.[1]

For the Australian politician, also Michael Troy, see Frank Troy.
Mike Troy
Troy in 1960
Personal information
Full nameMichael Francis Troy
National teamUnited States
Born(1940-10-03)October 3, 1940
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
DiedAugust 3, 2019(2019-08-03) (aged 78)
Arizona, U.S.
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesButterfly, freestyle
ClubIndianapolis Athletic Club
College teamIndiana University
Medal record
Representing the United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1960 Rome 200 m butterfly
Gold medal – first place 1960 Rome 4×200 m freestyle
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1959 Chicago 4×100 m medley
Silver medal – second place 1959 Chicago 200 m butterfly

The peak of Troy's swimming career occurred between 1959 and 1960 while he was coached by Doc Counsilman of the Indiana Hoosiers swimming and diving team at Indiana University. At the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, he won his first gold medal as a member of the winning U.S. team in the men's 4×200-meter freestyle relay. Individually, he won a second gold with his first-place finish in the men's 200-meter butterfly—his signature event.[1]

Troy broke the world record in the 200-meter butterfly six consecutive times before it was taken over by fellow American swimmer Carl Robie in 1961. In 1971 he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.[2]

After college, Troy entered active duty with the United States Navy on February 15, 1964, and completed Officer Candidate School. Troy was commissioned as an Ensign and volunteered for Underwater Demolition Training, now known as Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training. After months of grueling training, Troy graduated with BUD/S class 33 in December 1964. Troy received assignment to Underwater Demolition Team ELEVEN (UDT-11) and later deployed with his team to South Vietnam in 1966. He was recommended for the numerous awards for his combat service during the Vietnam War.[3] Troy resigned from active duty on February 28, 1969. After leaving military service Troy settled in the San Diego area where he worked as a real estate agent and swimming coach.[1] His trainees included Mike Stamm.[2] At the time of his death in 2019 Troy was co-owner of the Gold Medal Swim School in Chandler, Arizona, with two time Olympic coach Mike Walker.[4] Troy served as Chairman of the International Section of the Olympic Committee and Vice President of the American Swimming Coaches Association. Troy was the National Director of the USA Paralympic Swimming Team. He accompanied the team to Athens, Greece in September 2004 where the U.S. Paralympic team won numerous medals.[5]

Troy died on August 3, 2019, in Arizona at the age of 78.[6]

See also

References
  1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Mike Troy". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-04-17.
  2. "MIKE TROY (USA) 1971 Honor Swimmer". ISHOF.org. International Swimming Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2017-10-28. Retrieved 2015-03-20.
  3. "Michael (Mike) Francis Troy Archived 2015-02-20 at the Wayback Machine," Troyhistory.com. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  4. Gold Medal Swim School. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  5. Gold Medal Swim School Owners Bio. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  6. "1960 US Olympic Gold Medalist Mike Troy Dies at 78". 3 August 2019.
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