Ervin becomes oldest ever Olympic swimming champion

Anthony Ervin made history in the pool on Friday night when he became the oldest ever Olympic swimming champion at the age of 35, winning the 50m freestyle.

Hollywood-born and of Ashkenazi descent,he won joint-gold in the same event in 2000, aged just 19-years-old, but quite the sport four years later.

Attempting suicide, he worked in a tattoo parlour, played in a rock band and sold his gold medal to donate the money to Tsunami victims.

Speaking after his latest win, he said: “It’s surreal, it’s almost absurd I was able to do it again.”

He also revealed he became a father during the US trials last month, though has yet to see his daughter. Saying he wanted to be at the birth, but was unable to as he was preparing for the Games, he added: “Oh man, it’s like a thunderbolt, I haven’t had a chance to meet her yet and I tried to send a message to her after my race.”

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