Athlete Bio#
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Height
6'4"
Age
40
Hometown
Litchfield Park, AZ
Education
Mairtzburg College (Pietermaritzburg, South Africa) University of Arizona '10, Sociology
Olympic Experience
- Athens 2004 Olympic Games, gold (4x100m freestyle) - WR, 37th (200m individual medley)
- Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, 7th (4x100m medley, 4x100m freestyle), 8th (4x200m freestyle), 11th (200m individual medley), 21st (200m freestyle)
- London 2012 Olympic Games, 5th (4x100m freestyle), 7th (4x200m freestyle), 21st (200m individual medley)
Quick Facts
- Son of Ted and Rita Townsend
- Has one sister, Cheryl
- Previously represented his native South Africa at the Olympic Games in 2004, 2008 and 2012 before becoming a U.S. citizen in July 2014
- Made his international debut as a U.S. citizen at the 2014 FINA World Short Course Championships
- Competed in swimming at the University of Florida and the University of Arizona, winning seven NCAA titles
- Speaks Dutch Afrikaans.
