Men's 100m Freestyle World Record: Reaching New Heights (2)

Within 60 seconds

More than a dozen athletes have swum the 100-meter freestyle in under a minute, breaking the world record. Over the 53-year span from 1922 to 1975, humanity steadily pushed the boundaries of speed in this event—until finally cracking the 50-second mark in 1976.

Johnny Weissmuller(Johnny Weissmuller)

June 2, 1904 – January 20, 1984, United States

On July 19, 1922, American athlete Johnny Weissmuller swam the 100-meter freestyle in 58.60 seconds in Alameda, California, becoming the first male swimmer to break the one-minute barrier in the event. Then, on February 17, 1924, in Miami, he further improved the record to 57.40 seconds.

Weismuller is widely regarded as the greatest swimmer of all time, setting numerous world records in events such as the 100-meter freestyle, 200-meter freestyle, 400-meter freestyle, and the 4x200-meter freestyle relay. He competed in two Olympic Games—Paris 1924 and Amsterdam 1928—winning a total of five gold medals: two in the men’s 100-meter freestyle, two in the men’s 4x200-meter relay, and one in the 400-meter freestyle. He also claimed a bronze medal in water polo at the Paris Olympics.

Mark Spitz(Mark Spitz)

1950.2.10-  United States

If there’s an athlete in the history of world swimming who could possibly surpass Phelps, it would have to be none other than another American.Mark SpitzDuring his 14-year swimming career, Spitz broke the butterfly world record 14 times, the freestyle record 13 times (including relay events), and the mixed relay record once. Notably, in the 100-meter freestyle, he shattered the world record three times:

August 23, 1970, AAU Championships in the U.S.: 51.94 seconds;

August 5, 1972, U.S. Olympic Trials: 51.47 seconds;

September 3, 1972, Munich Olympics, 51.22 seconds.

Spitz won a total of 11 Olympic medals (9 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze). At the 1968 Mexico City Games, the 18-year-old athlete claimed an impressive four medals—two golds, one silver, and one bronze. Then, at the 1972 Munich Olympics, he dominated solo, claiming seven gold medals in a single Games. This remarkable feat stood as the record for most gold medals won by an athlete in a single Olympics for 36 years—until it was finally surpassed at the 2008 Beijing Games by swimming prodigy Michael Phelps, who clinched eight gold medals.