David Charles Berkoff (born November 30, 1966 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a former backstroke swimmer from the United States, who won a total number of four Olympic medals during his career. Swimming is a technique that humans, and other animals, use to move through water using only movements of the body. ... The 1988 Summer Olympics took place in Seoul, South Korea. ... The 1988 Summer Olympics took place in Seoul, South Korea. ... MENS EVENTS WOMENS EVENTS Category: ‪1992 Summer Olympics‬ ... MENS EVENTS WOMENS EVENTS Category: ‪1992 Summer Olympics‬ ... November 30 is the 334th day (335th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 31 days remaining. ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Quaker City Motto: Philadelphia maneto (Let brotherly love continue) Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Mayor John F. Street (D) Area    - City 369. ... Backstroke swimming (amateur competition, non-optimal style) Backstroke is one of the three swimming styles regulated by FINA, and the only regulated style swum on the back. ... Swimming is the method by which humans (or other animals) move themselves through water. ...

Berkoff revolutionized backstroke swimming, with his underwater start-and-turn, a move which stirred debate amongst athletes and officials and caused the world's governing swimming body FINA to make an adaptation to the rules governing the amount of the time a swimmer can remain under water after a start-and-turn. His so called "Berkoff Blastoff", as his under water submarine dolphin kick became known, earned him Olympic medals and World Records and caused every backstroke swimmer following him to learn the kick in order to win and set records. His start-and-turn is one of the sports top innovations that has lead to faster times. Fina may refer to: Fina is the name of Belgian petroleum company Petrofina. ... Genera See article below. ...

On August 13, 1988 at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Berkoff broke Igor Polyansky’s (URS) 100m backstroke world record with a 54.95 in the preliminary heat, and again in the finals with a 54.91. He broke the record a third time a month and a half later at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea with a 54.51 in the preliminary heats. Berkoff was supposed to win the 100m backstroke at the Seoul Olympics, but he was stunned in the final by Japan's Daichi Suzuki, who used the same underwater-technique, first invented by Jesse Vasallo. August 13 is the 225th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (226th in leap years), with 140 days remaining. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Igor Polyansky (born March 20, 1967) is a former backstroke swimmer from the Soviet Union, who won three medals at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, including the gold in the 200m Backstroke. ... The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were held in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. ... Seoul is the capital of South Korea and was, until 1945, the capital of all of Korea. ... Daichi Suzuki (born March 10, 1967) is a former backstroke swimmer from Japan, who suprised by winning the 100m backstroke at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. ...

Berkoff held the world record for three years before it was broken by USA’s Jeff Rouse. Berkoff was the first swimmer to go under 55 seconds for the distance. All totaled in Olympic competition, Berkoff had won two gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal. He set three backstroke world records, was on a world-record setting medley relay team and is best known today as the man who revolutionized the stroke. Today he is a lawyer living, working and coaching in Missoula, Montana. He and fellow Olympian Matt Biondi are co-founders of the Delphys Foundation for Marine Study, specifically the study of dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. Jeffrey Norman (Jeff) Rouse (born February 6, 1970 in Fredericksburg, Virginia) is a former international swimmer from the United States, who won the gold medal in the 100 metres backstroke at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. ... English barrister 16th century painting of a civil law notary, by Flemish painter Quentin Massys. ... Missoula, Montana viewed from the top of Mount Sentinel in 1999. ... Matthew (Matt) Nicholas Biondi (born October 8, 1965) is an American former swimmer. ...

In 2005 Berkoff was inducted in the International Swimming Hall of Fame. David Berkoff was coached by Coach Joseph Bernal, currently coaching Bernal's Gator Swim Club, which is based in Waltham. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The International Swimming Hall of Fame, located on the Atlantic Ocean beachfront in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, is a Hall of Fame dedicated to promoting the sport of swimming and immortalising the achievements and contributions of those who have distinguished themselves in the following four branches of aquatic sports: competitive...

References

• databaseOlympics
• Berkoff on the ISHOF-site