Haitham Hazem Mohamed Hassan (Arabic: هيثم حازم محمد حسن; born 8 November 1978) is an Egyptian former swimmer, who specialized in backstroke, butterfly, and individual medley events.[1] He collected a total of six medals (one gold, one silver, and four bronze) from the All-Africa Games, and later represented Egypt at the 2000 Summer Olympics. While studying in the United States, Hassan was named 2000 Mid-Continent Conference Athlete of the Year and 2001 Swimmer of the Year by The Summit League. He also played for the Oakland University's swimming and diving team, under head coach Pete Hovland.
Hassan, a native of Alexandria, Egypt, started his sporting career in his early teenage years as a member of Alexandria Sports Club. At age nineteen, Hassan accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, where he played for the Oakland Golden Grizzlies swimming and diving team under head coach Pete Hovland.[2] In 2000, he set Mid-Con records in the 100-yard butterfly (48.70) and 200-yard individual medley (1:50.60), and was also part of the 200-yard medley relay team that claimed a first-place finish at the Mid-Continental Conference Championships.[3] In 2001, Hassan was named Men's Swimmer of the Year by The Summit League, after seizing a lead in the 100-yard butterfly (48.24), 200-yard butterfly (1:48.30), and 200-yard individual medley (1:49.70) from the same tournament.[4] Hassan graduated from the University with a bachelor of science degree major in mechanical engineering.[5]
International careeredit
Hassan made his official worldwide debut, as a member of the Egyptian squad, at the 1999 All-Africa Games in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he earned a bronze medal in the 100 m backstroke at 59.91.[6]
At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Hassan competed only in three individual events. He posted FINA B-standards of 57.53 (100 m backstroke), 55.91 (100 m butterfly), and 2:07.51 (200 m individual medley) from the U.S. and Egyptian National Championships.[7][8][9] Marching in the parade of nations during the opening ceremony, Hassan recalled his proudest moment: “I was so happy, I couldn’t take it, I was swimming the very next day, but I didn’t care about getting tired or worn out. I wanted to be there. I had to see the Opening Ceremonies".[5] Two days after the opening, Hassan placed forty-fourth in the 100 m backstroke. Swimming in heat three, he rounded out the field to last place in 58.67, nearly a 1.4-second deficit behind winner Blaž Medvešek of Slovenia.[10][11] In the 200 m individual medley, Hassan finished fifty-first in 2:09.92, more than two seconds off his entry time.[12] The following day, in the 100 m butterfly, Hassan delivered a worst performance with a fifty-third-place effort on the morning prelims. Swimming in the same heat, he escaped from behind to earn a sixth seed in a time of 56.42. Frustrated and upset, he explained what went wrong from his final event: “I felt like I was moving my arms faster than I had ever done but I wasn’t catching any water. I was so mad, but I’m not a quitter.”[5][13]
Three years later, at the 2003 All-Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria, Hassan won a total of five medals, including his first ever gold in the 100 m butterfly (54.81).[14] He also collected a silver in the 50 m butterfly (24.84), and three bronze each in the 50 m backstroke (27.30), 100 m backstroke (58.46), and 100 m freestyle (52.26).[15][16]
In 2004, Hassan announced his retirement from a short-term career in swimming. He is currently working as a head coach for the American Swimming Academy in Alexandria, and also for swimmer Amr El Sayed, who competed for both the same collegiate and national team in middle-distance freestyle at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in Singapore.
Personal lifeedit
Following his only Olympic stint, Hassan married his longtime girlfriend Samar at a traditional Islamic ceremony in his hometown Alexandria before returning to Oakland University for his college swimming season.[5]
Referencesedit
^Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. . Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
^Samoray, Jeff (12 February 2002). "Many OU students have been Olympians". Oakland University. Archived from the original on 26 June 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
^"Oakland Sweeps Mid-Con Swimming & Diving Titles". Oakland Golden Grizzlies. 2 December 2000. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
^"Swimming – Men's 100m Backstroke Startlist (Heat 3)" (PDF). Sydney 2000. Omega Timing. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
^"Swimming – Men's 100m Butterfly Startlist (Heat 3)" (PDF). Sydney 2000. Omega Timing. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
^"Swimming – Men's 200m Individual Medley Startlist (Heat 3)" (PDF). Sydney 2000. Omega Timing. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
^"Sydney 2000: Swimming – Men's 100m Backstroke Heat 3" (PDF). Sydney 2000. LA84 Foundation. p. 275. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
^"Dolan breaks own world mark in 400 IM". Canoe.ca. 17 September 2000. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
^"Sydney 2000: Swimming – Men's 200m Individual Medley Heat 3" (PDF). Sydney 2000. LA84 Foundation. p. 308. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
^"Sydney 2000: Swimming – Men's 100m Butterfly Heat 3" (PDF). Sydney 2000. LA84 Foundation. p. 207. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
^Belhadj, Chaker (18 October 2003). "South Africa Dominates the African Games, Egypt a Strong Second". Swimming World Magazine. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
^Janckheere, Karien (10 October 2003). "Swimmer dedicates win to Durban coach". Independent Online (South Africa). Retrieved 2 June 2013.
^"South Africa wins five gold medals in swimming events". Xinhua News Agency. 11 October 2003. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
External linksedit
Honor Roll – Oakland University Swimming and Diving 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
December 15, 2023
haitham, hazem, mohamed, hassan, arabic, هيثم, حازم, محمد, حسن, born, november, 1978, egyptian, former, swimmer, specialized, backstroke, butterfly, individual, medley, events, collected, total, medals, gold, silver, four, bronze, from, africa, games, later, r. Haitham Hazem Mohamed Hassan Arabic هيثم حازم محمد حسن born 8 November 1978 is an Egyptian former swimmer who specialized in backstroke butterfly and individual medley events 1 He collected a total of six medals one gold one silver and four bronze from the All Africa Games and later represented Egypt at the 2000 Summer Olympics While studying in the United States Hassan was named 2000 Mid Continent Conference Athlete of the Year and 2001 Swimmer of the Year by The Summit League He also played for the Oakland University s swimming and diving team under head coach Pete Hovland Haitham HassanPersonal informationFull nameHaitham Hazem MohamedHassanNational team EgyptBorn 1978 11 08 8 November 1978 age 45 Alexandria EgyptHeight1 96 m 6 ft 5 in Weight92 kg 203 lb SportSportSwimmingStrokesBackstroke butterfly medleyClubAlexandria Sport ClubCollege teamOakland University U S CoachPete Hovland U S Medal record Men s swimmingRepresenting EgyptAll Africa Games2003 Abuja 100 m butterfly2003 Abuja 50 m butterfly1999Johannesburg 100 m backstroke2003 Abuja 100 m freestyle2003 Abuja 50 m backstroke2003 Abuja 100 m backstroke Contents 1 Career 1 1 College career 1 2 International career 2 Personal life 3 References 4 External linksCareer editCollege career edit Hassan a native of Alexandria Egypt started his sporting career in his early teenage years as a member of Alexandria Sports Club At age nineteen Hassan accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the Oakland University in Rochester Michigan where he played for the Oakland Golden Grizzlies swimming and diving team under head coach Pete Hovland 2 In 2000 he set Mid Con records in the 100 yard butterfly 48 70 and 200 yard individual medley 1 50 60 and was also part of the 200 yard medley relay team that claimed a first place finish at the Mid Continental Conference Championships 3 In 2001 Hassan was named Men s Swimmer of the Year by The Summit League after seizing a lead in the 100 yard butterfly 48 24 200 yard butterfly 1 48 30 and 200 yard individual medley 1 49 70 from the same tournament 4 Hassan graduated from the University with a bachelor of science degree major in mechanical engineering 5 International career edit Hassan made his official worldwide debut as a member of the Egyptian squad at the 1999 All Africa Games in Johannesburg South Africa where he earned a bronze medal in the 100 m backstroke at 59 91 6 At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney Hassan competed only in three individual events He posted FINA B standards of 57 53 100 m backstroke 55 91 100 m butterfly and 2 07 51 200 m individual medley from the U S and Egyptian National Championships 7 8 9 Marching in the parade of nations during the opening ceremony Hassan recalled his proudest moment I was so happy I couldn t take it I was swimming the very next day but I didn t care about getting tired or worn out I wanted to be there I had to see the Opening Ceremonies 5 Two days after the opening Hassan placed forty fourth in the 100 m backstroke Swimming in heat three he rounded out the field to last place in 58 67 nearly a 1 4 second deficit behind winner Blaz Medvesek of Slovenia 10 11 In the 200 m individual medley Hassan finished fifty first in 2 09 92 more than two seconds off his entry time 12 The following day in the 100 m butterfly Hassan delivered a worst performance with a fifty third place effort on the morning prelims Swimming in the same heat he escaped from behind to earn a sixth seed in a time of 56 42 Frustrated and upset he explained what went wrong from his final event I felt like I was moving my arms faster than I had ever done but I wasn t catching any water I was so mad but I m not a quitter 5 13 Three years later at the 2003 All Africa Games in Abuja Nigeria Hassan won a total of five medals including his first ever gold in the 100 m butterfly 54 81 14 He also collected a silver in the 50 m butterfly 24 84 and three bronze each in the 50 m backstroke 27 30 100 m backstroke 58 46 and 100 m freestyle 52 26 15 16 In 2004 Hassan announced his retirement from a short term career in swimming He is currently working as a head coach for the American Swimming Academy in Alexandria and also for swimmer Amr El Sayed who competed for both the same collegiate and national team in middle distance freestyle at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in Singapore Personal life editFollowing his only Olympic stint Hassan married his longtime girlfriend Samar at a traditional Islamic ceremony in his hometown Alexandria before returning to Oakland University for his college swimming season 5 References edit Evans Hilary Gjerde Arild Heijmans Jeroen Mallon Bill et al Haitham Hassan Olympics at Sports Reference com Sports Reference LLC Archived from the original on 18 April 2020 Retrieved 2 June 2013 Samoray Jeff 12 February 2002 Many OU students have been Olympians Oakland University Archived from the original on 26 June 2013 Retrieved 2 June 2013 Oakland Sweeps Mid Con Swimming amp Diving Titles Oakland Golden Grizzlies 2 December 2000 Retrieved 2 June 2013 Oakland Strides to Back to Back Mid Con Titles Oakland Golden Grizzlies Retrieved 2 June 2013 a b c d Gerstner Joanne All Roads Lead To Athens PDF Oakland Golden Grizzlies pp 1 2 Archived from the original PDF on 22 June 2010 Retrieved 2 June 2013 Kenyans hotfoot it to medals table Independent Online South Africa 17 September 1999 Retrieved 2 June 2013 Swimming Men s 100m Backstroke Startlist Heat 3 PDF Sydney 2000 Omega Timing Retrieved 23 April 2013 Swimming Men s 100m Butterfly Startlist Heat 3 PDF Sydney 2000 Omega Timing Retrieved 23 April 2013 Swimming Men s 200m Individual Medley Startlist Heat 3 PDF Sydney 2000 Omega Timing Retrieved 23 April 2013 Sydney 2000 Swimming Men s 100m Backstroke Heat 3 PDF Sydney 2000 LA84 Foundation p 275 Retrieved 23 April 2013 Dolan breaks own world mark in 400 IM Canoe ca 17 September 2000 Retrieved 28 May 2013 Sydney 2000 Swimming Men s 200m Individual Medley Heat 3 PDF Sydney 2000 LA84 Foundation p 308 Retrieved 23 April 2013 Sydney 2000 Swimming Men s 100m Butterfly Heat 3 PDF Sydney 2000 LA84 Foundation p 207 Retrieved 23 April 2013 Belhadj Chaker 18 October 2003 South Africa Dominates the African Games Egypt a Strong Second Swimming World Magazine Archived from the original on 30 June 2013 Retrieved 2 June 2013 Janckheere Karien 10 October 2003 Swimmer dedicates win to Durban coach Independent Online South Africa Retrieved 2 June 2013 South Africa wins five gold medals in swimming events Xinhua News Agency 11 October 2003 Archived from the original on 30 June 2013 Retrieved 2 June 2013 External links editHonor Roll Oakland University Swimming and Diving Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Haitham Hazem amp oldid 1176235061, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
