Kim Peyton

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameKimberley Marie "Kim"•Peyton (-McDonald)
Used nameKim•Peyton
Born26 January 1957 in Hood River, Oregon (USA)
Died13 December 1986 in Stanford, California (USA)
Measurements178 cm / 64 kg
AffiliationsDavid Douglas Swim Club
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Kim Peyton made her Olympic début in 1972 when she swam in the heats of the freestyle relay. Four years later, in Montréal, she won a gold medal in this event in addition to placing fourth in the 100m freestyle. For Kim Peyton, then an incoming freshman at Stanford, the 1976 Olympic relay was the highlight of her career. After a series of losses to the East Germans, the freestyle relay was America’s last chance for a gold medal in women’s swimming at the Montréal Games; with Peyton swimming the lead-off stage, the U.S. at last defeated the East Germans and took a full three seconds off the world record. At the Pan-American Games, she won the 100m and 200m freestyle in 1971 and, after defending her 200m title in 1975, won two more Pan-American golds as a member of the two relay teams. Peyton also won four AAU titles. She died quite young from a brain tumor before she turned 30-years-old.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1972 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) USA Kim Peyton
4 × 100 metres Freestyle Relay, Women (Olympic) United States 1
1976 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) USA Kim Peyton
100 metres Freestyle, Women (Olympic) 4
4 × 100 metres Freestyle Relay, Women (Olympic) United States 1 Gold

Olympic family relations

Special Notes