Duncan Armstrong

{{Infobox swimmer

| name = Duncan Armstrong
{{nobold|{{post-nominals|country=AUS|OAM}}}}

| image =

| imagesize =

| alt =

| caption =

| full_name = Duncan John D'Arcy Armstrong

| nicknames =

| national_team = Australia

| strokes = Freestyle

| club = Western Australia

| collegeteam = University of Florida

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1968|4|7|df=y}}

| birth_place = Rockhampton, Queensland

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height = 188 cm

| weight = 74 kg

| show-medals = yes

| medaltemplates =

}}

Duncan John D'Arcy Armstrong {{post-nominals|country=AUS|OAM}} (born 7 April 1968) is an Australian former competitive swimmer, Olympic champion, and former world record-holder. Armstrong is best remembered for winning a gold and silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics.

Early life

Armstrong was born in the Queensland city of Rockhampton,{{cite Sports-Reference |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ar/duncan-armstrong-1.html |title=Duncan Armstrong |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111141831/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ar/duncan-armstrong-1.html |archive-date=11 November 2012 |access-date=10 March 2015}} and began swimming at the age of five. Convinced of his potential as a competitive swimmer, his family moved to Brisbane where he began training with the A.C.I. Lawrence Swimming Club as a teenager under flamboyant coach Laurie Lawrence.{{cite web |url=http://www.ishof.org/duncan-armstrong.html |title= Duncan Armstrong (AUS) |website=ISHOF.org |publisher=International Swimming Hall of Fame |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124250/http://www.ishof.org/duncan-armstrong.html |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=9 March 2015}}John Lohn, [https://books.google.com/books?id=RWLKhp7HEkMC&q=Duncan+Armstrong&pg=PA93 Historical Dictionary of Competitive Swimming] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609013937/https://books.google.com/books?id=RWLKhp7HEkMC&pg=PA93&lpg=PA93&dq=%22Tim+McKee%22+Larsson&source=bl&ots=k27Oq8_wPq&sig=FsaX8IcuFDskqs23-bShX110WlU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Rt3kVOLtDMKYgwTFq4DADg&ved=0CCQQ6AEwAjgU#v=snippet&q=Duncan%20Armstrong&f=false |date=9 June 2015 }}, Scarecrow Press, Lanham, Maryland, p. 3 (2010). Retrieved 7 March 2015. While training with coach Lawrence, Armstrong swam alongside 1984 Olympic gold medallist Jon Sieben; he viewed Sieben as a role model, and emulating Sieben's Olympic success became Armstrong's goal. He attended the selective Brisbane State High School in Brisbane, where he was captain of the school's swim team.Brisbane State High School, [https://brisbaneshs.eq.edu.au/legends-state-high Legends of State High] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310152324/http://brisbaneshs.eq.edu.au/legends-state-high |date=10 March 2015 }}. Retrieved 10 March 2015. Armstrong graduated from State High in 1985.

International swimming career

Armstrong made his international swimming debut in the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland. He won his first gold medal in the 400-metre freestyle in dramatic fashion by surging from behind after trailing by nearly 25 metres at the midway point of the race. Armstrong earned his second gold medal as a member of the winning Australian team in the 4×200-metre freestyle relay.Sport Australia Hall of Fame, Athlete Members, [https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/duncan-armstrong/ Duncan Armstrong] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721115918/https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/duncan-armstrong/ |date=21 July 2020 }}. Retrieved 24 September 2020.

Armstrong arrived in Seoul for the 1988 Summer Olympics ranked 46th in the world, facing a trio of past and current world record holders in the men's 200-metre freestyle: Matt Biondi of the United States, Artur Wojdat of Poland, and Michael Gross of West Germany. Although not favored to win, Armstrong had developed a strong sense of confidence after years of 20 km per day of training. "You look down your lane and know you've done everything you possibly can and you're prepared for this race. Someone has got to win it. Why not me?"{{Cite news|url=https://www.yourswimlog.com/dream-big-and-train-bigger/|title=Olympic Champion Duncan Armstrong and Why You Should Dream Big and Train Bigger|date=19 October 2018|work=YourSwimLog.com|access-date=30 October 2018|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031052350/https://www.yourswimlog.com/dream-big-and-train-bigger/|url-status=live}} As a back-end swimmer, Lawrence planned for Armstrong to swim as close to Biondi's adjacent lane as possible, with Armstrong effectively drafting or surfing the American's wake.Australian Olympic Committee, [http://corporate.olympics.com.au/98FE27F5-5056-B031-6AB256E119254594 Duncan Armstrong Athlete Biography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103005944/http://corporate.olympics.com.au/98FE27F5-5056-B031-6AB256E119254594 |date=3 November 2013 }}. Retrieved 12 March 2015. At 150 metres, Armstrong was in third place, but he surged past Sweden's Anders Holmertz and then Biondi in the final 25 metres to claim the gold medal with a new world-record time of 1 minute 47.25 seconds. Holmertz placed second (1:47.89), and Biondi finished third (1:47.99).Sports-Reference.com, Olympic Sports, Swimming at the 1988 Seoul Summer Games, [https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1988/SWI/mens-200-metres-freestyle-final.html Men's 200 metres Freestyle Final] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207171929/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1988/SWI/mens-200-metres-freestyle-final.html |date=7 December 2014 }}. Retrieved 9 March 2015.Ross Atkin, "[http://www.csmonitor.com/1988/0920/rswim-f.html Aussie attack blows US out of the water again] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112157/http://www.csmonitor.com/1988/0920/rswim-f.html |date=2 April 2015 }}," The Christian Science Monitor (20 September 1988). Retrieved 13 March 2015.

Later, in the men's 400-metre freestyle, Armstrong was once again slow out of the blocks, turning last at the 100-metre mark, and still being second-to-last at the 300-metre mark. However he finished strong, and in a photo finish, claimed the silver medal with a time of 3:47.14 behind East German Uwe Dassler's new world-record time of 3:46.95.Sports-Reference.com, Olympic Sports, Swimming at the 1988 Seoul Summer Games, [https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1988/SWI/mens-400-metres-freestyle-final.html Men's 400 metres Freestyle Final] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207172217/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1988/SWI/mens-400-metres-freestyle-final.html |date=7 December 2014 }}. Retrieved 9 March 2015. He had cut more than five seconds off his previous personal best; all three medallists—Dassler, Armstrong and Artur Wojdat—broke the previous 400-metre freestyle world record.Sharon Robb, "[http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1988-09-23/sports/8802240448_1_matt-cetlinski-400-meter-freestyle-race-gold Cetlinski Slips To Fourth] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402134418/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1988-09-23/sports/8802240448_1_matt-cetlinski-400-meter-freestyle-race-gold |date=2 April 2015 }}," Sun Sentinel (23 September 1988). Retrieved 13 March 2015. Armstrong was also a member of the Australian team that finished fourth in the men's 4×200-metre freestyle relay.Sports-Reference.com, Olympic Sports, Swimming at the 1988 Seoul Summer Games, [https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1988/SWI/mens-4-x-200-metres-freestyle-relay-final.html Men's 4 × 200 metres Freestyle Relay Final] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007160459/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1988/SWI/mens-4-x-200-metres-freestyle-relay-final.html |date=7 October 2014 }}. Retrieved 10 March 2015. For his Olympic successes, he was awarded the Young Australian of the Year award for 1988.Australian of the Year Awards, Honour Roll, [http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/honour-roll/?view=fullView&year=1988&recipientID=132 Duncan Armstrong OAM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094406/http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/honour-roll/?view=fullView&year=1988&recipientID=132 |date=2 April 2015 }}. Retrieved 13 March 2015.

Armstrong attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he swam for the Florida Gators swimming and diving team under coach Randy Reese in 1988 and 1989.[http://web.gatorzone.com/swimmingdiving/media/2014/supplement.pdf Florida Swimming & Diving 2014–15 Media Supplement] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218165742/http://web.gatorzone.com/swimmingdiving/media/2014/supplement.pdf |date=18 February 2015 }}, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 79, 83, 87, 100 (2014). Retrieved 9 March 2015.Ron Kaspriske, "[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19890110&id=QsFWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LOoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2832,2725672 Florida swimming team signs gold medal winner] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924152248/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19890110&id=QsFWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LOoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2832%2C2725672 |date=24 September 2020 }}," The Gainesville Sun, pp. 1C & 4C (10 January 1989). Retrieved 12 March 2015. He won Southeastern Conference titles in the 500-yard freestyle and the 400- and 800-yard freestyle relays, and was named an All-American in the 400- and 800-metre freestyle relays in 1989.

Armstrong was again the favourite at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand. However, a bout of glandular fever forced him to withdraw. He was selected to compete at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona as a member of the Australian team in the men's 4×200-metre freestyle relay, but the Australians were disqualified in the event final.Sports-Reference.com, Olympic Sports, Swimming at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Games, [https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1992/SWI/mens-4-x-200-metres-freestyle-relay-final.html Men's 4 × 200 metres Freestyle Relay Final] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712134536/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1992/SWI/mens-4-x-200-metres-freestyle-relay-final.html |date=12 July 2015 }}. Retrieved 9 March 2015. He retired from competitive swimming after the 1992 Olympics. In June 1998, at the age of 30, he announced that he would come out of retirement and commence training for the 200-metre freestyle for the 2000 Summer Olympics, as Australia was expected to be a favourite in the 4×200-metre freestyle relay event in Sydney. However, after two months of training, Armstrong announced that he would abandon his comeback and retire again."[http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/armstrong-re-retires/ Armstrong re-retires] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406103729/http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/armstrong-re-retires/ |date=6 April 2015 }}," Swimming World Magazine (12 October 1998). Retrieved 13 March 2015.

Life after competition swimming

Armstrong married American Olympic swimmer Tami Bruce in 1989; they have two sons."[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UkslAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bZEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5582,3280625&dq=tami+duncan-armstrong&hl=en Armstrong's lack of form worries trainer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924152248/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UkslAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bZEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5582%2C3280625&dq=tami+duncan-armstrong&hl=en |date=24 September 2020 }}," The Age, p. 23 (23 October 1989). Retrieved 10 March 2015.Alan Clarkson, "[http://www.tami.com.au/tami-articles/1993/11/14/our-new-supermum/ Our New Supermum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304072326/http://www.tami.com.au/tami-articles/1993/11/14/our-new-supermum/ |date=4 March 2015 }}," The Sun Herald (14 November 1993). Retrieved 10 March 2015. Armstrong and Bruce later divorced. He has three children with his second wife, Rebecca.Calvary Christian College, News, "[http://calvarycc.qld.edu.au/articles/learn-to-success-with-duncan-armstrong-gold-olympic-medallist Learn success with Duncan Armstrong, gold Olympic medallist] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630062505/http://calvarycc.qld.edu.au/articles/learn-to-success-with-duncan-armstrong-gold-olympic-medallist |date=30 June 2015 }}". Retrieved 27 June 2015. He is a practicing Christian, and often speaks on Christian-related subjects.https://www.acc.edu.au/podcast/duncan-armstrong/The {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703004123/https://www.acc.edu.au/podcast/duncan-armstrong/ |date=3 July 2020 }} Inspiration Project

Armstrong has worked as an expert swimming commentator on Channel Nine's Wide World of Sports; he has presented the swimming coverage for Fox Sports, and hosted Fox Sports Central on Sunday. He is a well-known swimming safety advocate, and has also coached young swimmers. He has been a commercial spokesman for Centrum multivitamins and Cardiotech fitness equipment.

He received a Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of service to swimming in 1989,{{cite web|title=Duncan John D'Arcy Armstrong OAM|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/887279|publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|access-date=4 January 2012|archive-date=1 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001202131/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/887279|url-status=live}} an Australian Sports Medal in 2000,{{cite web|title=Duncan John Armstrong|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/976765|publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|access-date=4 January 2012|archive-date=1 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001202127/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/976765|url-status=live}} and a Centenary Medal for service to Australian society through the sport of swimming in 2001.{{cite web|title=Duncan John Armstrong|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1126732|publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|access-date=4 January 2012|archive-date=1 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001202127/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1126732|url-status=live}} He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1993, the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1996, and the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame in 2009.Qsport, Queensland Sport Hall of Fame, [http://www.qsport.org.au/qshof/biography.asp?ID=17 Mr Duncan Armstrong OAM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127051739/http://qsport.org.au/qshof/biography.asp?ID=17 |date=27 January 2014 }}. Retrieved 12 March 2015.

References

Bibliography

Afremow, Jim, [https://books.google.com/books?id=CqEiAgAAQBAJ&dq=%22Duncan+Armstrong%22+swimmer&pg=PA180 The Champion's Mind: How Great Athletes Think, Train, and Thrive], Rodale Books, New York, New York, pp. 182–187 (2013). {{ISBN|978-1-62336-148-8}}.
Andrews, Malcolm, Australia at the Olympic Games, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Books, Sydney, New South Wales, pp. 13–14 (2000). {{ISBN|0-7333-0884-8}}.