Virg Luken

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameVirgil William "Virg"•Luken
Used nameVirg•Luken
Born12 September 1942 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA)
Died10 June 2023 in Minnetonka, Minnesota (USA)
Measurements175 cm / 82 kg
AffiliationsMinnesota Golden Gophers, Saint Paul (USA)
NOC United States

Biography

Virg Luken swam for the University of Minnesota, winning the 1962 NCAA title in the 200 yard breaststroke. He also swam for the Gopher Swim Club. Luken won Big 10 titles in the medley relay in 1963 and individually in the 200 yard breaststroke in 1964. He was a nine-time All-American during his college career. In 2004 Luken was inducted into the University of Minnesota Hall of Fame.

After the Olympics Luken described returning to total poverty and working as a janitor in the locker room at Waldorf Paper in St. Paul, Minnesota. He later started his own company, Virg Luken & Associates, designing and building pools. He also competed in masters swimming, winning 12 USA Masters titles.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1964 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) USA Virg Luken
4 × 100 metres Medley Relay, Men (Olympic) United States 1