Three-Time Olympic Champion Mike Burton Dies at 79; Packaged Legendary Career in Distance Freestyle
Legendary American distance star Mike Burton has died, according to a social-media post written by his son, Eric. Burton, 79, was a three-time Olympic champion between the 1968 Games in Mexico City and the 1972 Games in Munich. Burton was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1977 and was enshrined in the UCLA Hall of Fame, along with several others.
“My heart is broken this morning,” wrote Eric Burton on Facebook. “My dad, Mike Burton, has passed away after a grueling battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia. My dad was by far the toughest man to have ever lived. He always inspired me to greatness. I will forever miss him, his stories and just having him around. He will definitely live on through all of us. This is not goodbye, but see you later.”
Burton established himself as one of the greatest distance freestylers in history, setting five world records in the 1500 freestyle between 1966 and 1972. At the 1968 Olympic Games, Burton was the gold medalist in the 400 freestyle and 1500 freestyle. Four years later, Burton defended his Olympic title by winning the 1500 freestyle in a world-record time of 15:52.58. Both of Burton’s victories in the 1500 freestyle were dominant, as he won his 1968 gold by 18 seconds and his 1972 title by six seconds.
Coached by Sherm Chavoor at the Arden Hills Swim Club, Burton became a five-time NCAA champion at UCLA and was an overwhelming choice for induction into ISHOF in the late 1970s. In addition to his Olympic success, Burton was a three-time medalist at the 1967 Pan American Games.
Burton also became a successful coach after his competitive career concluded and he remains one of four men to defend an Olympic gold medal in the 1500 freestyle. He was the first man to swim the 1650-yard freestyle in under 16 minutes and was the first man to break 8:30 in the 800 freestyle. At the 1972 Olympic Trials, he qualified for the 1500 freestyle final in eighth, placed third and rose to the occasion to win his second straight Olympic gold.
