100 metres Breaststroke, Men

In 1982-83, Steve Lundquist had been the world’s best in this event, winning gold at the 1982 World Championships and setting four world records in those years. At the 1982 Worlds, American John Moffet had won bronze in both breaststroke events. At the 1984 US Olympic Trials, Moffett beat Lundquist for the first time and, in the process, bettered his world record with 1:02.13.

In training camp before the Olympics, however, Moffet injured his groin. It seemed better by the time of Los Angeles, as Moffet led the qualifiers with 1:02.16, but, on the turn of that race, re-injured his groin. It was not certain if he would be able to even swim in the final, and he told Lundquist, “If something goes haywire with my leg, get the gold for the United States.” Lundquist did just that, finishing in a world record 1:01.65, the first swimmer to better 1:02 in the 100 breast, although Canada’s Victor Davis also did so in second, with 1:01.99. Four days later, Davis would win the 200 breaststroke. Moffet was far from his best and trailed in fifth in the 100, swimming with his upper thigh taped and having received a pain-killing injection.

The winner of the Friendship Games, a few weeks later, was Soviet Dmitry Volkov, who swam 1:03.72.