Klete Keller

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameKlete Derik•Keller
Used nameKlete•Keller
Born21 March 1982 in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
Measurements198 cm / 97 kg
AffiliationsPhoenix Swim Club/Trojan Swim Club
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 2
Silver 1
Bronze 2
Total 5

Biography

Klete Keller was a distance freestyler who swam at the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Olympics. He won five Olympic medals, with golds in the 4x200 free relay in 2004-08, and won individual bronze medals in the 400 freestyle in 2000 and 2004. Keller also won five medals at the World Aquatics Championships from 2001-07, with four medals and two golds in the 4x200 free relay, and an individual bronze medal in the 2001 200 metre freestyle. At the Pan Pacifics Keller won gold in the 2006 200 metre freestyle. Oddly, he won 2 golds, 1 silver, and 2 bronzes at each of those major meets.

After his swimming career ended, Keller struggled, getting divorced and holding and losing several jobs in sales and finance. For a time in 2014, he was homeless and lived out of his car.

In January 2021, he had been working as a real estate agent in Colorado Springs, when he achieved notoriety during the 2021 storming of the US Capitol by supporters of US President Donald Trump. Keller was identified inside the Capitol in videos because he was wearing his USA Olympic warm-up jacket.

On 13 January 2021 Keller was charged by the FBI with obstructing law enforcement engaged in official duties, unlawfully entering Capitol grounds, and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. On 10 February, a grand jury indicted Keller on seven charges, including civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding, entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct in a restricted building, and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. In September 2021, in a plea agreement, Keller pleaded guilty to one federal felony count of obstruction of an official proceeding. In December 2023 he was sentenced to six months home detention and 36 months probation but with no jail time. He was also ordered to complete 360 hours of community service.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
2000 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) USA Klete Keller
400 metres Freestyle, Men (Olympic) 3 Bronze
4 × 200 metres Freestyle Relay, Men (Olympic) United States 2 Silver
2004 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) USA Klete Keller
200 metres Freestyle, Men (Olympic) 4
400 metres Freestyle, Men (Olympic) 3 Bronze
4 × 200 metres Freestyle Relay, Men (Olympic) United States 1 Gold
2008 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) USA Klete Keller
4 × 200 metres Freestyle Relay, Men (Olympic) United States 1 Gold

Olympic family relations

Special Notes