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As the current Olympics in Beijing draw to a close, I'd like to take this opportunity to honor a historic Sacramento person, who helped catapult our area into the limelight of Olympic Swimming for three decades. Sherm Chavoor, founder of the Arden Hills Swim and Tennis Club, developed and opened the hallowed ground (and waters) under his single proprietorship in 1954. This private club, in Carmichael, offered swim and tennis facilities for members; and the waters of the pools became magical to many competitive swimmers, who were trained under the watchful eyes and wizzardry of the Merlinesc Chavoor. Chavoor's training consisted of the barking of incantations of swimming farther and faster than anyone else (revolutionary over-distance training), his aqua alchemy produced swimmers who were awarded a total of 31 Olympic medals - 21 of them Gold medals. His champions set more than 200 world and American records. One of the swimmers became Chavoor's Lancelot in the pool. Mark Spitz, became the ultimate victor of nine Olympic Gold medals - two in the 1968 Mexican Olympics and seven in the Munich Olympics of 1972. In addition to accumulation of Gold medals, Spitz also obtained a Silver medal, and a Bronze in the 1968 Mexican Olympics. Triple Gold medallists, include Debbie Meyer (1968 Mexico Olympics) and Mike Burton (1968 Mexico & 1972 Munich Olympics). Also included in the Arden Hills Swimming Dynasty, were Sue Pederson with two Gold medals and two Silver medals (1968 Mexico Olympics); John Nelson - one Gold medal, and one Bronze medal; Mike Burton - Three Gold medals total (2 Golds in 1968 Mexico Olympics & 1 Gold in 1972 Munich Olympics); Ellie Daniel - One gold medal, one Silver medal, and one Bronze medal in 1968 Mexico Olympics; Jeff Float - One Gold medal in 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. In 1985 Coach Chavoor retired from his illustrious career. And in 1992 Sacramento lost this special legendary giant, who succumbed to Pancreatic Cancer! Written by: Myrl Jeffcoat |
Legendary Sacramentan Sherm Chavoor Written by: Myrl Jeffcoat - 8/21/08 ActiveRain Archived at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/651946/legendary-sacramentan-sherm-chavoor |
