Vicha Ratanachote (Thai: วิชา รัตนโชติ; born February 22, 1977) is a Thai former swimmer, who specialized in middle-distance freestyle events.[1] In 1999, Ratanachote became a SEA Games champion in the 200 m freestyle, and later represented Thailand at the 2000 Summer Olympics. While studying in the United States, he is a member of the USC Trojans swimming and diving team under head coach Mark Schubert.[2]

Vicha Ratanachote
Personal information
Full nameVicha Ratanachote
National team Thailand
Born (1977-02-22) 22 February 1977 (age 47)
Bangkok, Thailand
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight75 kg (165 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesFreestyle
College teamUniversity of Southern California (U.S.)
CoachMark Schubert (U.S.)
Medal record
Men's swimming
Representing Thailand
Southeast Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 1995 Chiang Mai 4x200m freestyle relay
Gold medal – first place 1999 Brunei 200 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 1995 Chiang Mai 4x100m freestyle relay
Silver medal – second place 1995 Chiang Mai 400m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 1995 Chinga Mai 200m freestyle

At the 1999 Southeast Asian Games in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Ratanachote powered past the entire field to earn a gold medal in the 200 m freestyle with a time of 1:53.43.[3]

Ratanachote competed in the men's 200 m freestyle at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.[4] After winning a gold medal from the SEA Games, his entry time of 1:53.43 was accredited under a FINA B-standard.[5] He challenged seven other swimmers in heat three, including 17-year-olds Damian Alleyne of Barbados and Wu Nien-pin of the Chinese Taipei. He rounded out the field to last place by 0.33 of a second behind Wu in a time of 1:54.91. Ratanachote failed to advance into the semifinals, as he placed thirty-first overall in the prelims.[6][7]

References

edit
  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Vicha Ratanachote". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  2. ^ "USC Olympians – 43 Gold Medals" (PDF). USC Trojans. p. 62. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  3. ^ "Singapore swimmer sizzles". Sports Illustrated. CNN. 13 August 1999. Archived from the original on May 25, 2001. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  4. ^ "The Olympics: Trojans run for many nations". USC News. 5 September 2000. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  5. ^ "Swimming – Men's 200m Freestyle Startlist (Heat 3)" (PDF). Sydney 2000. Omega Timing. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  6. ^ "Sydney 2000: Swimming – Men's 200m Freestyle Heat 4" (PDF). Sydney 2000. LA84 Foundation. p. 125. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 August 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  7. ^ "Dolan breaks own world mark in 400 IM". Canoe.ca. 17 September 2000. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)