Norman Ross

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameNorman DeMille•Ross
Used nameNorman•Ross
Nick/petnamesThe Big Moose
Born2 May 1896 in Portland, Oregon (USA)
Died19 June 1953 in Evanston, Illinois (USA)
Measurements188 cm
AffiliationsIllinois AC, Chicago (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 3
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 3

Biography

After winning five events at the Inter-Allied Games in Paris in 1919, Norman Ross won three gold medals at the 1920 Olympics. He set 12 world records at international distances and won 18 AAU championships. He swam for Stanford and later attended Northwestern Law School. During a swim meet in Honolulu, Ross met and later married a Hawaiian princess. After giving up competition, he went into the music business and became the country’s first classical disc jockey known to millions as “Uncle Normie”. His son followed him on the airwaves, becoming a familiar voice on radio and television in the Chicago area. Norman Ross was decorated by Gen. Pershing during World War I, and served as an aide to Gen. Doolittle in World War II.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1920 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) USA Norman Ross
100 metres Freestyle, Men (Olympic) AC r3/3
400 metres Freestyle, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
1,500 metres Freestyle, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
4 × 200 metres Freestyle Relay, Men (Olympic) United States 1 Gold
Water Polo (Aquatics) USA Norman Ross
Water Polo, Men (Olympic) United States 4

Special Notes