Roy Saari

Roy Allen Saari (February 26, 1945 – December 30, 2008) was an American swimmer and water polo player. He qualified for the 1964 Summer Olympics in both disciplines, and chose swimming, as the Olympic rules of the time did not allow him to compete in two sports. He won a gold medal as a member of the first-place U.S. team in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, setting a new world record in the final with teammates Steve Clark, Gary Ilman and Don Schollander (7:52.1). Individually he earned a silver medal in the 400-meter individual medley (4:47.1). He also advanced to the finals of the 400-meter freestyle and 1,500-meter freestyle, placing fourth and seventh, respectively. Before the Olympics Saari became the first person to break the 17 minute barrier over 1500 m, but in the Olympic final he was suffering from a cold and clocked a mere 17:29.2.

He and his younger brother Robert Saari were on the 1964 Olympic water polo team, which was coached by their father, Urho Saari. He attended the University of Southern California and swam for the USC Trojans swimming and diving team. He also played water polo at the national level. He graduated from USC in 1967 and received his law degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1973. Between 1973 and 1978 he practiced law in Orange County, California, and then worked as a real estate agent and planning commissioner in Mammoth Lakes, California.

Saari died on December 30, 2008, of heart failure, aged 63. Earlier in 1976 he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. In 1982, he was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame.