Pär Arvidsson

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full namePär Johan•Arvidsson
Used namePär•Arvidsson
Born27 February 1960 in Risinge, Finspång, Östergötland (SWE)
Measurements183 cm / 74 kg
AffiliationsFinspångs SK, Finspång (SWE) / SK Korrugal, Finspång (SWE) / California Golden Bears, Berkeley (USA)
NOC Sweden
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

After breaking the world record with 54.15 in the 100 butterfly three months before the 1980 Olympics, Pär Arvidsson was favored for butterfly golds at Moskva. But at the Olympics, there were rumors that Arvidsson was stuck by a virus and was not in form, which seemed to be true in the first butterfly event, the 200, where he finished only seventh. Arvidsson recovered enough to win 100 fly gold three days later, although only 0.02 seconds ahead of second placed East German Roger Pyttel.

Besides his Olympic gold, Arvidsson also won 100 butterfly bronze at the 1978 World Championships, 100 butterfly silvers at the 1977 and 1981 European Championships, medley relay silver at the 1981 European Championships and 200 butterfly bronze at the 1977 European Championships. He also won 22 Swedish titles between 1976-83.

After graduating from U Cal Berkeley with an economics degree, Arvidsson received an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1985. After graduation he worked with McKinsey & Co, before becoming a well-known businessman and entrepreneur in the Bay Area. In 1990, Arvidsson was a co-founder and investor in Bare Escentuals, where he was active in a wide range of capacities including CFO and interim CEO. He was also a co-founder and managing director at GameChange, LLC (now GameChange.com) and founder of SB2. Arvidsson served as chairman of Private Brands, Inc, and a director of multiple companies. He eventually became the founder, managing director and CEO at Snowshoe Capital, LLC, also serving as CEO of WCities International, Inc.

Personal Bests: 100 m butterfly – 54.15 (1980); 200 m butterfly – 2:00.42 (1979).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1976 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) SWE Pär Arvidsson
4 × 200 metres Freestyle Relay, Men (Olympic) Sweden 7
100 metres Butterfly, Men (Olympic) 15
200 metres Butterfly, Men (Olympic) 11
4 × 100 metres Medley Relay, Men (Olympic) Sweden DNS
1980 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) SWE Pär Arvidsson
100 metres Butterfly, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
200 metres Butterfly, Men (Olympic) 7

Special Notes