Anthony Ervin
An Olympic champion who walked away from the sport, sold his gold medal, and returned 16 years later to win gold again.
Born 1981 (age 45)·American swimmer·Birthday: May 26·Millennials
Biography
Anthony Ervin's story is one of breathtaking speed and profound personal reinvention. He burst onto the scene as a 19-year-old phenom at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, tying for gold in the 50-meter freestyle, a victory that made him the first American swimmer of African descent to win an individual Olympic gold. Yet, the pressures of fame and a search for identity led him to retire shortly after, a period where he famously auctioned his gold medal for charity and drifted through a life of rock music and soul-searching. In a comeback that defied all logic, he returned to training in his 30s, his body older but his spirit clarified. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, at age 35, he stunned the world by winning gold in the same 50-meter freestyle event, becoming the oldest individual swimming gold medalist in history. His journey, marked by public struggles and a defiant second act, redefined what is possible in an athlete's lifespan.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Anthony was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anthony Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Anthony's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Olympic gold medal in the men's 50-meter freestyle at the 2000 Sydney Games.
- Became the oldest individual Olympic swimming gold medalist by winning the 50-meter freestyle again at the 2016 Rio Games at age 35.
- Auctioned his 2000 Olympic gold medal to raise funds for tsunami relief efforts in Southeast Asia.
- Authored a memoir, 'Chasing Water: Elegy of an Olympian,' detailing his unconventional life journey.
Did You Know?
He is of African-American and Native American (Cherokee) descent.
He took a 12-year break from competitive swimming after the 2000 Olympics.
He is an avid surfer and practiced martial arts during his time away from swimming.
He knelt in solidarity during the national anthem at the 2017 U.S. national championships.
“I had to lose myself to find myself.”
