USOC Media and Public Affairs
Twenty-eight years ago in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, Rick DeMont reached the pinnacle of achievement for a competitive swimmer, an Olympic gold medal. Days later the International Olympic Committee stripped DeMont of his gold medal after he tested positive for ephedrine, a banned substance and an active ingredient in medicine prescribed to control DeMont's asthma. The gold medal was awarded to Australian Brad Cooper.

During his career as an athlete and a coach, DeMont has made significant contributions to the sport of swimming. The United States Olympic Committee plans on recognizing his athletic and coaching accomplishments at a USOC Board of Director's meeting April 28-29, 2001 at San Jose, California. According to USOC spokesperson Mike Moran, "It is time to bring Rick back into the Olympic family and recognize him as one of the most gifted athletes ever to represent the U.S. in international competition."

In August 1972, just prior to the Munich Games, sixteen-year-old DeMont qualified as a member of the U.S. Olympic Team in the 400- and 1500-meter freestyle events. His qualifying time in the 1500 set a new world record of 15:52.91. DeMont won his gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle September 1, 1972. Forty-eight hours later, on the afternoon of Sunday, September 3, DeMont was notified that a urine specimen given by him following the race tested positive for ephedrine. His gold medal was taken away and he also was barred from competing in the 1500-meter freestyle event. Since then, DeMont has continued his quest for return of his gold medal.

DeMont was first prescribed Marax, then a common medication for asthma treatment, in 1971. He continued taking it during the ensuing year unaware, he says, that it contained ephedrine, a drug banned by international officials. Although DeMont disclosed his medical condition and use of Marax, this information was never relayed to the proper authorities at the IOC's medical commission.

Drug Testing in sports is commonplace today. But, according to David Ulich, one of DeMont's attorneys, 18 years ago, it was in its infancy. The 1972 Munich Olympics were the first Games with comprehensive drug testing. Said Michael Mandig, a Tucson lawyer and one of DeMont's advisors, "It may have been that the newness of the drug testing system caused mistakes to be made in 1972. Whatever the reason, we will just have to keep trying to change the IOC's mind about Rick."

After returning home September 7, 1972, 16-year-old DeMont continued to train. The following year, in the summer of 1973, DeMont competed in the world championships in Belgrade, again defeated Australian Cooper and set a new world record in the 400 meter at 3:58.18. He was the first athlete ever to break the four-minute barrier, a huge achievement in the swimming world.

Speaking from his home in Tucson, DeMont said, "At the time, I needed to prove something to myself, to my family, to the swimming world, that I was the best." The loss of his gold medal has been a sore point to DeMont over these many years. He felt that he was not adequately advised concerning his use of Marax. Nor does he think that he was fairly treated at the time. "I was only sixteen years old," he said. "I relied on others to tell me what I could take, but somehow I ended up paying the price."

Despite his travails, DeMont went on after the Munich Games to give back to the sport he loved so much and at which he excelled. As an assistant swim coach at the University of Arizona, DeMont, now 44, has mentored dozens of young swimmers who have become national champions and gone on to represent the U.S. in the Olympic Games. "I always tell my athletes," DeMont said, "that they can realize their full potential in life, even though there may be setbacks along the way, and something may be taken from them that they truly believe they deserve."

None of DeMont's athletes has ever tested positive for doping, as he counsels them on the hazards of drug use and explains that they must always be vigilant about taking any prescribed drug. DeMont is supportive of the USOC's anti-doping efforts in testing for drug use in U.S. athletes. He has also expressed his dismay that some athletes attempt, through doping, to gain an unfair advantage.

In recognition of his achievements and in hopes of bring closure to DeMont's estrangement from the Olympic community, the USOC will recognize DeMont at its Board meeting in April. Additionally, when visitors punch "Rick DeMont" into the interactive visitor's kiosk at USOC's Colorado Springs Olympic Complex, the viewer will be provided with information on DeMont's accomplishments. As DeMont stated, "I am grateful to the USOC for recognizing my achievements. It does not bring back my gold medal, but it is a good feeling to once again be a part of the Olympic Family."