Mark Foster, Olympic Athlete

Sport/Event >
Swimming, freestyle and butterfly sprint events.

Date and Place of Birth >
12th May, 1970, Billericay, Essex, England

Club >
University of Bath Swimming Club

Coached by >
By himself

Biography >
Since Mark burst onto the International scene as a youngster representing England at the 1986 Commonwealth Games at the age of 17 he has gone on to represent his country more times and be more decorated than any other male swimmer. He has held both the World Record for 50m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly at the same times during a glittering career spanning 3 decades. Has competed in five Olympics, broken eight world records and won five world championships in his career.

Mark is amongst the most successful British swimmers of all-time. He made a remarkable comeback at the national championships in July 2007 winning both events he competed in after barely training.

Mark Foster with UK flag at Beijing Olympics

Mark had the honour of being the Great Britain Olympic Team flag carrier at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in 2008, where he represented Great Britain in the 50m freestyle. This was his 5th Olympics.

You can visit Mark's website in a new window by clicking here or on his picture to the top right.

Competitive Records >
5 Times Olympian
• 6 World Championships Champion Short Course
• 2 Times Commonwealth Games Champion
• 10 Times European Championship Champion Short Course
• 8 Times world record holder

Career Achievements

World Championships – Long Course

• 2001 Fukuoka 50m butterfly – Bronze
• 2004 Barcelona 50m freestyle – Silver

World Championships Short Course

• 1993 Palma 50m freestyle – Gold
• 1999 Hong Kong – 50 m freestyle – Gold
• 1999 – Hong Kong – 50m butterfly – Gold
• 2000 Athens – 50m freestyle – Gold
• 2000 Athens – 50 m Butterfly – Gold
• 2004 Indianapolis 50m freestyle – Gold
• 1997 Gothenburg 50 m freestyle- Silver
• 2002 Moscow 50m freestyle – Silver
• 2004 Indianapolis 50m butterfly – Silver
• 2008 Manchester 50m freestyle – Silver
• 1997 Gothenburg 4×100 medley – Bronze
• 2002 Moscow 50m butterfly – Bronze

Commonwealth Games

• 1990 Auckland 50 m freestyle – Bronze
• 1994 Victoria 50m freestyle –Gold
• 1998 Kuala Lumpur 50m freestyle – Gold
• 2002 Manchester 50m freestyle – Bronze
• 2002 Manchester – 50m butterfly – Bronze

European Championships Long Course
• 1997 Seville 50m freestyle – Silver
• 1993 Sheffield 4×100 medley – Bronze
• 1999 Istanbul 50m butterfly – Bronze
• 2000 Helsinki 50m butterfly – Bronze

European Championships Short Course
• 1992 Espoo 50m butterfly –Gold
• 1992 Espoo 50m freestyle – Bronze
• 1996 Riesa 50m freestyle – Gold
• 1996 Riesa – 50m freestyle – Gold
• 1996 Riesa – 4×50m medley – Bronze
• 1998 Sheffield 50m freestyle – Gold
• 1998 Sheffield 50m butterfly – Silver
• 1998 Sheffield 4×50m freestyle – Silver
• 1998 Sheffield 4×50mmedley – Bronze
• 1999 Lisboa 50m freestyle – Gold
• 1999 Lisboa 4×50m medley – Bronze
• 2000 Valencia 50m butterfly – Gold
• 2000 Valencia 50m freestyle – Silver
• 2000 Valencia 4×50m freestyle – Bronze
• 2001 Antwerp 50m butterfly – Silver
• 2001 Antwerp 4×50m medley – Silver
• 2003 Dublin 50m freestyle – Gold
• 2003 Dublin 50 m butterfly – Gold
• 2004 Vienna 50m freestyle – Gold
• 2004 Vienna 50m butterfly – Gold
• 2005 Trieste 50m freestyle – Gold
• 2005 Trieste 50m butterfly – Silver
• 2005 Trieste 4×50m medley – Bronze
• 2005 Trieste 4×50m freestyle – Bronze

 

 Mark Foster at the Beijing Olympics

Mark at the Beijing Olympics 2008

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