Duncan Alexander
Goodhew
Kristjan Laimets
Türi 2009
Duncan Goodhew
Duncan Alexander Goodhew (born
May 27, 1957) is one of the most
well-known British swimmers. He has
won two Olympic medals for Great
Britain in 1980 Summer Olympics in
Moscow.
In addition to that, he is also known
for his several television appearances
and motivational speeches. He has
worked with several companies
including Exxon, IBM, Prudential and
many others.
Biography, part 1
A successful swimming athlete
Duncan Goodhew was born on May 27, 1957. He attended Millfield School.
He made his Olympic debut in 1976 while still a studen. He finished seventh in
100m breaststroke, which was a good result. Duncan took part of the
Commonwealth games in 1978 and won three silver medals. Later that year he
competed at the World Championships, where he he finished fourth in both
individual events and won a bronze medal in the medley relay. After that, he went
training in an American University under
the coach David Haller to prepare for the
1980 Olympic games. Moscow Olympic
Games turned out to be a great success
to him, as he won a gold and a bronze
medal.
Biography, part 2
After Retiring from swimming, Duncan
Goodhew has become a familiar media
personality. He is known as an author
and a motivational speaker. Because of
his TV appearances, he is a relatively
famous person in the British media.
Medals
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Bronze for 4x100m medley at 1977 European
Championships Long Course in Jönköping
Bronze for 4x100m medley at 1978 World
Championships Long Course in Berlin
Three silver medals at 1978 Edmonton
Commonwealth Games (for 100m breaststroke,
200m breaststroke and 4x100m medley)
Bronze for 4x100m medley at 1980 Moscow
Olympic Games
Gold for 100m breaststroke at 1980 Moscow
Olympic Games
Motivational speaker
Duncan Goodhew is also famous for his
motivational speeches. He addresses issues
such as motivation and success. Since 1981
Duncan has presented over 200 motivational
speeches to some of the Britain’s ompanies
such as Exxon, Prudential, IBM and many
others.
Duncan Goodhew’s business experience
stretches form arranging large sponsorship to
corporate fundraising and business
introductions.
He has also written books on the same topic,
including “Sink or swim” and “Fix your life –
now!”
Sink or swim
“Sink or swim: The Self-help Book for Men
Who Never Read Them” is the title of a
book written by Duncan Goodhew and
Victoria Hislop. It is not about swimming,
though, but motivation. Targeted at
overworked, overstressed, insecure men
needing a lifestyle review, the main topic of
the book is how to get yourself motivated
(and stay motivated) and also that success
is an entirely individual matter. This can be
applied to home and family as well as the
work place and focuses on making sure you
set your own criteria for achievement, rather
that simply trying to meeting the
expectations of other people - it redefines
the nature of success, and how to achieve
it.
Some facts
Duncan Goodhew has alopecia universalis which
means total lack of hair, not just on head, but on
whole body. It gives him a slight dynamic
advantage in swimming, though.
 He was appointed an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II
for services to sport in 1981.
 After the London protests during the 2008
Summer Olympics torch relay, Duncan Goodhew
stated that the protests were "a bad example for
children".
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More facts
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His nickname at school was “Duncan the Dunce”
because he was dyslexic.
Duncan's 100 m breaststroke gold medal
achievement was ranked 99th in the British network
Channel 4's 100 Greatest Sporting Moments in 2002.
In 1981 He represented Great Britain in the 2 and 4
Man Bobsleigh at the European Championships
In 1994 he set up, with a donation of £1m from
John Beckwith and a sponsorship of £1m, the
immensely successful Youth Sport Trust, which now
operates in every primary school in England and has
secured a number of government contracts.
Filmography
Duncan Goodhew has appeared in numerous films and TV shows,
including:
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"Children in Need" – Himself (1 episode, November 23,
1983)
"The Adventure Game" – Himself (1 episode, 1984)
“The Grand Knockout Tournament” – Himself (1987)
"Important Astrology Experiment" – Himself (2 episodes,
2002)
"A Question of Sport" –Mystery Guest (1 episode, 2004)
“The Wright Stuff” – Guest Panelist (1 episode, 2005)
Summary
Duncan Goodhew, a multi-talented personality
is considered a national hero in the UK. And
rightfully so, because in 1980 many people
shouted from joy when they saw Duncan
taking the first place in the 100 m breaststroke.
And that’s not all. In addition to his sporting
career, he is also known for his motivational
speeches, work with several companies and
his books.
His bald head and his smile make him easily
recognizable.
Used literature
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http://www.normanphillips.co.uk/duncan_goodh
ew_bio.htm
http://www.gordonpoole.com/?artistID=525
http://www.sportsreference.com/olympics/athletes/go/duncangoodhew-1.html
https://www.booksonboard.com/index.php?BOD
Y=viewbook&BOOK=196599&v=synopsis
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0328921/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan_Goodhew