Jerry Heidenreich

Jerome Alan Heidenreich (February 4, 1950 – April 18, 2002) was an American competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and former world record-holder. He competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, where he received gold medals in the 4×100-meter medley relay, and 4×100-meter freestyle relay.[2] He received a silver medal in 100-meter freestyle, and a bronze medal in 100-meter butterfly.

Jerry Heidenreich

Heidenreich (right) and Mark Spitz at the 1972 Olympics
Personal information
Full name	Jerome Alan Heidenreich
Nickname(s)	"Jerry", "The Poet"
National team	United States
Born	(1950-02-04)February 4, 1950 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.[1]
Died	April 18, 2002(2002-04-18) (aged 52) Paris, Texas, U.S.
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight	161 lb (73 kg)
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Butterfly, freestyle
College team	Southern Methodist University
Medal record Representing the United States Olympic Games 1972 Munich 4×100 m medley 1972 Munich 4×100 m freestyle 1972 Munich 100 m freestyle 1972 Munich 100 m butterfly Pan American Games 1971 Cali 4×100 m freestyle 1971 Cali 4×200 m freestyle 1971 Cali 4×100 m medley 1971 Cali 100 m butterfly Universiade 1970 Turin 100 m butterfly

He set six world records during his swimming career, all as a relay team member.

Heidenreich was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Swimmer" in 1992.[3]

He became a swimming coach in the 1980s. He was married three times.[4]

In July 2001, Heidenreich had a mild stroke which left him with a degree of paralysis on his left side. On April 18, 2002 he took his own life with an overdose of prescription medicine at his home in Paris, Texas.[5][4]