Murray Rose
|
|
Iain Murray Rose (born: January 6, 1939) in Nairn but he moved to Australia with his family as a toddler. He took up swimming as a boy and was an Olympic Games champion at age 17.
Rose became an Olympian for the first time at the 1956 Summer Olympics. He won the 800 meters and 1500 meters freestyle race and a gold medal in the relay. In addition to the three gold medals, he won them in his home country immediately becoming a national hero.
After Melbourne, Rose moved to the United States to study at the University of Southern California. At the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Rose again won an Olympic gold medal. He also won a silver and a bronze bringing his haul to six medals.
Rose continued to compete through his graduation from USC in 1962. During his career he was also known for his strict vegetarianism. This earned him the nickname "The Seaweed Streak."
Rose has since competed as a masters swimmer. An avenue at the Sydney Olympic complex was named for him in 2000.