Melissa Belote
Biographical information
| Roles | Competed in Olympic Games |
|---|---|
| Sex | Female |
| Full name | Melissa Louise•Belote (-Hamlin, -Ripley) |
| Used name | Melissa•Belote |
| Born | 16 October 1956 in Washington, District of Columbia (USA) |
| Measurements | 171 cm / 60 kg |
| Affiliations | Solotar Swim Club |
| NOC |  United States |
| Medals | OG |
| Gold | 3 |
| Silver | 0 |
| Bronze | 0 |
| Total | 3 |
Biography
Apart from Shane Gould, the 15-year-old Melissa Belote was the only woman swimmer to win more than one individual title in München. She went to the U.S. Final Trials as a little known outsider, but beat the U.S. record holder, Susie Atwood, in the 100m backstroke and then took the 200m after setting a world record in the heats. At the 1972 Olympics she again set a world record in the 200m and the following year she won the 200m backstroke at the World Championships. In 1976 she made the Olympic team for the second time and placed fifth in the 200m. In her collegiate career at Arizona State, Belote collected four AIAW titles. After graduating with a degree in communications she returned to Virginia, where she had swum for the Solotar Swim Team, and as Mrs. Hamlin took the post of assistant head coach at Solotar.
Results
| Games | Discipline (Sport) / Event | NOC / Team | Pos | Medal | As | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 Summer Olympics | Swimming (Aquatics) | USA |
Melissa Belote | |||
| 100 metres Backstroke, Women (Olympic) | 1 | Gold | ||||
| 200 metres Backstroke, Women (Olympic) | 1 | Gold | ||||
| 4 × 100 metres Medley Relay, Women (Olympic) | United States | 1 | Gold | |||
| 1976 Summer Olympics | Swimming (Aquatics) | USA |
Melissa Belote | |||
| 200 metres Backstroke, Women (Olympic) | 5 |
Special Notes
- Listed in Olympians Who Set a World Record in Long Course Swimming (200 m backstroke – 5 August 1972 - 7 July 1974: 2:20.64 (5 August 1972; Chicago, USA), 2:20.58 (4 September 1972; München, FRG), 2:19.19 (4 September 1972; München, FRG); 4×100 m medley relay – 3 September 1972 - 4 September 1973: 4:20.75 (3 September 1972; München, FRG))
- Listed in Olympians Who Won a Medal at the World Aquatics Championships (1–2–0 1973 Belgrade SWI gold: 200 m backstroke, silver: 100 m backstroke and 4×100 m medley relay)
- Listed in Olympic Swimmers - Doubles Champions, Same Year (1972 100/200 Backstroke Champion.)