Simon Thirsk

Simon Thirsk (born 15 May 1977 in Cape Town) is a retired South African swimmer, who specialised in backstroke events.[1]

Simon Thirsk
Personal information
Full nameSimon Thirsk
National team South Africa
Born (1977-05-15) 15 May 1977
Cape Town, South Africa
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight72 kg (159 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesBackstroke
ClubCamps Bay Aquatics Club
College teamUniversity of Hawaii (US)
CoachSam Freas (US)
Medal record
Men's swimming
Representing South Africa
Universiade
Gold medal – first place 1999 Palma 100 m backstroke
All-Africa Games
Silver medal – second place 2003 Abuja 50 m backstroke
Silver medal – second place 2003 Abuja 100 m backstroke
Bronze medal – third place 2003 Abuja 200 m backstroke

Career and Awards

Thirsk won a gold medal in the 100 m backstroke at the 1999 Summer Universiade, and later represented South Africa at the 2000 Summer Olympics. While residing in the United States, Thirsk played for the University of Hawaii's swimming and diving team, also known as the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, under head coach Sam Freas.[2]

Thirsk burst onto the global scene at the 1999 Summer Universiade in Palma de Mallorca. In the 100 m backstroke, he fought off a challenge from Japan's Keitaro Konnai to power home with South Africa's first ever gold in 55.97.[3][4]

At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Thirsk competed only in two swimming events.[5] After winning a gold medal from the University Games, his entry time of 55.97 was officially accredited under a FINA A-standard.[3][6] In the 100 m backstroke, Thirsk challenged seven other swimmers in heat six, including Cuba's Olympic silver medalist Rodolfo Falcón and Australia's overwhelming favourite Matt Welsh. He rounded out the field to last place and thirtieth overall by a 2.36-second deficit behind winner Welsh in 57.06.[7][8] Thirsk also teamed up with Brett Petersen, Nicholas Folker, and Theo Verster in the 4 × 100 m medley relay. Leading off a backstroke leg in heat two, Thirsk recorded a split of 56.88, but the South Africans finished the race in fourth place and thirteenth overall with a final time of 3:42.44.[9]

Three years later, at the 2003 All-Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria, Thirsk collected a total of three medals: two silvers in the 50 m backstroke (27.04) and 100 m backstroke (57.60), and a single bronze in the 200 m backstroke (2:09.79).[10][11]

References
  1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Simon Thirsk". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  2. Bigold, Pat (17 March 2000). "UH swimmers to drop suit against NCAA". Honolulu Star Bulletin. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  3. "Thirsk saves SA's face at Games". Independent Online. 7 July 1999. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  4. "Japan strikes gold in pool". Sports Illustrated. CNN. 6 July 1999. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  5. "South Africa Announces Olympic Squad". Swimming World. 11 April 2000. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  6. "Swimming – Men's 100m Backstroke Startlist (Heat 6)" (PDF). Sydney 2000. Omega Timing. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  7. "Sydney 2000: Swimming – Men's 100m Backstroke Heat 6" (PDF). Sydney 2000. LA84 Foundation. p. 275. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 August 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  8. "Dolan breaks own world mark in 400 IM". Canoe.ca. 17 September 2000. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  9. "Sydney 2000: Swimming – Men's 4×100m Medley Relay Heat 2" (PDF). Sydney 2000. LA84 Foundation. p. 347. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 August 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  10. Belhadj, Chaker (18 October 2003). "South Africa Dominates the African Games, Egypt a Strong Second". Swimming World. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  11. Janckheere, Karien (10 October 2003). "Swimmer dedicates win to Durban coach". Independent Online. Retrieved 2 June 2013.


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