– Lance Larson disputed swim race
– Lance Larson Olympic swim race.
Lance Larson, Champion Swimmer and Olympic Controversy
Lance Larson, a renowned Southern California swimmer and former Olympic athlete, has passed away at the age of 83. He died on January 19 in Orange, California, due to complications from pneumonia.
Lance Larson made headlines during the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome when he competed in the 100-meter freestyle race. Larson appeared to have secured victory in the race, only to have it snatched away by the chief judge within minutes.
A Disputed Race and Controversial Finish
The race was a close one, initially led by Manuel Dos Santos of Brazil until Australian swimmer John Devitt overtook him. Larson, determined to win, made a move at the 75-meter mark, pushing himself ahead.
According to David Maraniss, author of “Rome 1960: The Olympics That Changed the World” (2008), Larson saw a shadow to his left and urged himself to start moving. The two swimmers were incredibly close, with just a fraction of a second separating them.
After completing the race, Larson celebrated what he believed to be his victory by flipping joyously backward and kicking off in a long glide. However, his celebration was short-lived when he learned that no winner had been declared.
The Complexities of International Swimming Judging
In those days, international swimming had a complex system of measuring victory. Timekeepers for each swimmer stood at the finish line, recording their times. Larson’s time was clocked at 55.0, 55.1, and 55.1 seconds, while Devitt’s time was recorded as 55.2 by all three timekeepers in his lane.
Additionally, a new electronic timing machine, serving as a backup, also gave Larson a slight edge with a time of 55.10 seconds compared to Devitt’s 55.16 seconds. However, the final decision was left to the judges.
Two of the three first-place judges selected Devitt as the winner, while the other chose Larson. For second place, two judges picked Devitt, and one selected Larson. The tie led the chief judge, Hans Runströmer of West Germany, to intervene and declare Devitt the winner.
Larson’s Legacy and Life Beyond the Controversy
Lance Melvin Larson was born on July 3, 1940, in Monterey Park, Southern California. He grew up in El Monte, where his parents ran a dairy farm and later a service station.
Larson’s swimming talent was evident from a young age, and he gained recognition during his time at El Monte High School. In 1958, he became the first high schooler to swim the 100-meter freestyle in less than 50 seconds during an Amateur Athletic Union meet.
At the University of Southern California, Larson excelled as an All-American swimmer. He was the first to break the one-minute mark in the 100-meter butterfly and set 18 American records during his career.
Despite the controversy surrounding his Olympic race, Larson continued to thrive in his swimming career. He went on to win a gold medal in the 4×100-meter medley relay, breaking the world record just four days after the disputed 100-meter freestyle event.
After completing his studies, Larson pursued a career in dentistry. He graduated from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in 1964 and served in the Navy Dental Corps from 1965 to 1968. Larson was later inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1980.
Remembering Lance Larson
Lance Larson is survived by his wife, Sherrie Larson, and his children Lance Jr., Greg, Gary, Randy, Jairica Fosburg, and Danica Juliano. He also leaves behind three stepdaughters, Erica Leon, Jessica Sherwood, and Monica Jara, as well as ten grandchildren.
While the controversy of the 1960 Olympics may have overshadowed his achievements, Larson’s impact on the sport of swimming and his perseverance in the face of disappointment will always be remembered.
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– Lance Larson Olympic swim race dispute
– Lance Larson dies at 83.
