Lenny Krayzelburg (2001) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Lenny Krayzelburg

Induction:
2001
Class:
1998

Lenny Krayzelburg, the aquatic star of the 2000 Olympics, was one of the world’s greatest backstrokers. A 9-time All-American at USC (1996-98), he captured an NCAA individual title in 1997 in the 200-yard backstroke and he set school records in both backstroke specialties and both medley relays. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, he won gold medals in the 100-meter and 200-meter backstrokes and as a member of the United States’ 400-meter medley relay. He then won another gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics as part of the U.S. 400-meter medley relay (he was fourth in the 100 backstroke). The top-ranked backstroker in the world from 1997 to 2000, he set world records in the event at 50 meters, 100 meters and 200 meters. He won titles at the World Championships, Pan Pacific Championships, Goodwill Games, U.S. Nationals and Summer Nationals. In 2016, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Century team. The Russian native didn’t come to the United States until 1989 and became an American citizen in 1995. He was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Hall of Fame in 2001. He won an NCAA Silver Anniversary Award in 2022. He then became owner of a swim school and managed a pro swimming team.