Michael Gross, The Albatross With Wings Almost As Wide As The Lanes He Graced
Today marks the 41st anniversary of the moment Germany's Michael Gross swam 400m free faster than Vladimir Salnikov ever had. It was all part of the work he put in to eight World records and a pantheon of Olympic, World & European prizes over 200 free and 200 'fly ...
Michael "The Albatross" Gross (Height, 2.01m; Wingspan, 2m 11), Germany's six-times Olympic medallist and champion in the 200m free and 100m 'fly at Los Angeles 1984 and the 200m 'fly at Seoul 1988, set eight 200m World records, the endurance work to get him there also reflected in the one global standard he set at double the distance.
Today marks the 41st anniversary of the moment Gross ended the reign of Soviet swimmer Vladimir Salnikov as a pioneer of 400m freestyle pace. The time on the clock at the West German Championships in Wuppertal on June 27, 1985 was 3:47.80. Faster than the 'Monster of the Waves' - a memory of Salnikov:
Craig Lord
Gross did not compete over 400m freestyle on major international occasions, but the speed he mustered over eight lengths of a 50m pool tells a tale of towering endurance built in pursuit of his eight 200m World records, four on freestyle, four on butterfly, the stroke that granted him his nickname as the tips of his fingers sailed close to the lane ropes either side of him.
The Giant Career Of Michael Gross At A Glance:
Global Medals And Records
The fuller profile follows...
