Local Man Won Olympic Gold in 1968
Save Email Print
Posted: 7:56 PM Aug 20, 2008
Local Man Won Olympic Gold in 1968
Olympic gold -- it's a prestigious honor reserved only for the most elite athletes in the world. It is a distinction one local man won not once, but twice in swimming. Dr. Stephen Rerych did it 40 years ago alongside the man who went on to set the bar in swimming for years to come -- Mark Spitz.
Reporter: Carrie Cline
Email Address: carrie.cline@wsaz.com
width:200 and height: 150 and picwidth: 200 and pciheight: 150
Font Size:

POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Olympic gold -- it's a prestigious honor reserved only for the most elite athletes in the world.

It is a distinction one local man won not once, but twice in swimming. Dr. Stephen Rerych did it 40 years ago alongside the man who went on to set the bar in swimming for years to come -- Mark Spitz.

It's a memory that Rerych describes as if it happened yesterday.

"It was great," he said, referring to his gold medal performance in the 4-by-100 men's relay swimming. The date was 1968 -- the place Mexico City.

Rerych, a 6-foot, 6-inch swimmer, towered over his teammates, including Spitz.

"He was not well liked by anyone on the team," Rerych said. "He was cocky."

Despite his personal feelings about Spitz, Rerych respects the legendary Olympian's swimming talent.

"He worked very hard and deserved to win."

It is a talent that's fading in the shadow of Michael Phelps. The Beijing Games brought a new record eight gold medals to Phelps, eclipsing Spitz's record of seven during the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

"Phelps is in a league of his own," Rerych said.

And how things have changed in four decades. The 1968 Rerych/Spitz 4-by-100 relay team set a world record of 3:31. By sharp contrast, the 2008 team for the same event led by Phelps set a world record of 3:08.

Rerych attributes the difference to better training and technology. Phelps' fame, however, doesn't diminish Rerych's pride in his own accomplishments. He had his heyday and has his own Sports Illustrated cover to prove it.

"I don't take myself that seriously," he said.

Rerych said you can work hard to get to the top of the mountain, but have to work even harder to stay there. He won a second gold medal at the 1968 Mexico City Games for the men's 800-meter relay. That medal is on display at a history museum in Raleigh, N.C.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Kay on Sep 2, 2008 at 01:26 PM

Dr. Rerych - thank you for taking the time to let my grandson see and also hold your gold medal. He will forever remember you for this, not his scary emergency surgery.You're a caring, thoughtful man and of course, one wonderful doctor.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 21, 2008 at 08:56 AM

That's really cool. Good to see news like this for a change.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Ruth on Aug 21, 2008 at 08:01 AM

The nurses in PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) at Pleasant Valley Hospital are proud of Dr. Rerych's accomplishments and enjoy working with him.
[ Report Abuse ]
Racing News - CNN.com
  • Johnson takes pole at Homestead

    Driver Jimmie Johnson smiles in the garage as he waits to drive practice laps at the Homestead-Miami International Speedway in Homestead, Fla. on Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, as he prepares for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Ford 400 auto race.  Jimmie Johnson's run for his fourth straight Cup title starts from the pole.


  • Johnson looks to cap title run with race win

    In none of his three previous championship runs has Jimmie Johnson ever won the final race of the season.Rotoworld: With the way Jimmie Johnson has been racing, it's entirely possible he'll end up celebrating his Cup championship from Victory Lane in Florida. His toughest race competition, however, will come from the Roush-Fenway cars.


  • Opinion: Martin faces daunting task in final race

    It's technically possible for Mark Martin to overcome Jimmie Johnson to win the Cup, but making up 108 points is a daunting task.Sporting News: In order to overtake Jimmie Johnson in the standings, Mark Martin needs his teammate to finish worse than 25th this weekend. It's not impossible, but Johnson has finished worse than 25th in only 16 percent of his career starts.


  • Opinion: Johnson's dominance not embraced by fans

    Jimmie Johnson is just one race away from winning an unprecedented fourth straight Sprint Cup championship title.Sporting News: Watching Jimmie Johnson, especially in the Chase, is a lot like watching Tiger Woods in golf's majors. But while Woods is considered good for his sport, Johnson's success is thought to detract from NASCAR's appeal. Why are they viewed differently?


SEND US YOUR PICTURES AND VIDEOS INCLUDING BREAKING NEWS AND SEVERE WEATHER
WSAZ.com Sponsor Sections & Links
WSAZ Olympic Zone web channel
Full 2010 Olympic coverage from the WSAZ Olympic Zone. Coverage begins Friday, Feb. 12, at 7:30p with the Opening Ceremony on WSAZ
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
A glittering holiday show full of fun and surprises for the whole family! Children thrill as Santa takes them on a magical ride to his workshop.
Healthy Connections Healthy Connections
Find a local health professional
Moms4Moms presented by McDonald's
A collection of resources here to help Moms weather the daily storms that come along with parenting.
SOMC
Very good things are happening here
WV Lottery
Nightly drawings and numbers
Big Sandy
For all your furniture and appliance needs
Healthy Tri-State
Tips to live a healthier lifestyle