I just found out that Don McKenize passed way in Reno, Nevada yesterday after a long battle with cancer. I just want to say that he was my friend, he was the toughest competitor I ever swam against and for those of you who don't know of him he won two gold medals at the Olympics in 1968. We went head to head for many years and I can't tell you how many times he would look over, a few minutes before a race, and say "is this fun or what??". He was a super star guy and my deepest sympathy goes out to his wife and children.
Parents
Former Member
One more story about Don.
In the Mexico City Olympics, nearly every team member succumbed to Montezuma's revenge, except Don. He stayed healthy and strong as a horse throughout the Games, while others were dropping like flies. Steve Rerych couldn't even get out of bed to swim the prelims of the 200 free. The bathroom in our Village rooms usually had a line to get in.
Later, toward the end of the Games, I asked Don how he managed to keep from getting sick. He reached down in the cabinet next to his bed and pulled out a bottle of Mexican Tequila. "I just took a shot of this every night before bed", he said. "I figured it would kill anything."
Maybe the Russian breastrokers forgot the Vodka. Either way, Don was one tough dude.
Respectfully,
Gary Hall Sr.
www.theraceclub.com
One more story about Don.
In the Mexico City Olympics, nearly every team member succumbed to Montezuma's revenge, except Don. He stayed healthy and strong as a horse throughout the Games, while others were dropping like flies. Steve Rerych couldn't even get out of bed to swim the prelims of the 200 free. The bathroom in our Village rooms usually had a line to get in.
Later, toward the end of the Games, I asked Don how he managed to keep from getting sick. He reached down in the cabinet next to his bed and pulled out a bottle of Mexican Tequila. "I just took a shot of this every night before bed", he said. "I figured it would kill anything."
Maybe the Russian breastrokers forgot the Vodka. Either way, Don was one tough dude.
Respectfully,
Gary Hall Sr.
www.theraceclub.com
