Michael Klim - Medal Achievements

Medal Achievements

In 1996, he arrived at the Atlanta Olympics ranked first in the world for the 200 m freestyle, but was surprisingly eliminated in the heats. He rebounded to qualify for a finals in the 100m butterfly, and swam the freestyle leg in the 4×100 m medley relay, in which Australia claimed a bronze medal.

• Atlanta Olympics (USA) :
  • Men's 4×100m Medley Relay.

1998 was Michael Klim's year in the sun. In January, the World Aquatics were held in Perth, and in front of a boisterous home crowd, he was the leading swimmer of the meet. He triumphed in the 200 m freestyle and the 100 m butterfly, and added silver in the 100 m freestyle, and bronze in the 50 m freestyle. He was a member of each of Australia's three relay teams, winning gold in the 4×200 m freestyle relay and 4×100 m medley relay, and a silver in the 4×100 m freestyle relay.

• FINA World Championships 1998 in Perth (Australia) :
  • 200m Freestyle.
  • 100m Freestyle.
  • 50m Freestyle.
  • 100m Butterfly.
  • 4×100m Freestyle Relay.
  • 4×200m Freestyle Relay.
  • 4×100m Medley Relay.

In 2000, at the Sydney Olympics, Klim set a world record (48.18) leading off the 4×100 m freestyle relay, which paved the way for a world record (3:13.67). Three days later, he was part of the 4×200 m freestyle relay, which set another world record (7:07.05), which left the opposition over 5 seconds in arrears on its way to victory. His 100m freestyle world record bested by Pieter van den Hoogenband in the semi's, in the final he finished with a bitter 4th place, he turned first at the wall but he claimed his legs gave away in the second half. In the 100 m butterfly, he was the world record holder, again turning first at the wall heavily under world record pace, but was cut down in the closing stages by Sweden's Lars Frölander, finishing second. On the final night he claimed silver as part of the 4×100 m medley relay team.

• Sydney Olympics (Australia) :
  • 100m Butterfly.
  • 4×100m Freestyle Relay.
  • 4×200m Freestyle Relay.
  • 4×100m Medley Relay.

In 2001, hampered by an ankle injury Klim was restricted to relay duties, and contributed to another world record, winning gold in the 4×200 m relay (7:04.66). He also collected a gold medal in the 4×100 m freestyle relay.

• FINA World Championships 2001 in Fukuoka (Japan) :
  • 4×100m Freestyle Relay.
  • 4×200m Freestyle Relay.