On June 16, 2000 in Moscow, he swam the 50-metres freestyle at a world
record of 21.64 seconds.
Four-time gold medalist at the Olympic Summer Games 1992 and 1996. He
is the first man to win the 50m and 100m freestyle in two consecutive
Olympics since Johnny Weissmuller.
Was stabbed in the abdomen with a knife during dispute with three
street vendors in Moscow and spent three months in rehabilitation
(1996).
Lived in Australia from 1993 to 2003. Since 2003, he has resided in
Solothurn, Switzerland with his wife and their two children.