1984 LOS ANGELES: Injury Robs Golden Chance

Manny Millan

THAT HURT: Teammate and gold medalist Steve Lundquist consoles Moffet after the breaststroke final.

By Kevin Cool

Not every Olympic dream comes true. Nobody knows that better than swimmer John Moffet.

Moffet, '86, was denied a chance to compete in 1980 because of the United States boycott of the Moscow Games. Four years later, he broke the world record in the 100-meter breaststroke during the U.S. Olympic trials and was favored to win the gold medal in Los Angeles. Halfway through his preliminary swim he pulled a thigh muscle in his right leg, yet finished the race with the fastest qualifying time and a new Olympic record. But the injury was too much to overcome in the final. Barely able to walk, his leg heavily wrapped, Moffet placed fifth, ending his Olympic quest.

He returned to the Farm for his junior and senior seasons, won five individual titles overall and helped the Cardinal win back-to-back NCAA championships in 1985 and 1986.

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