London 2012 Golden Bears Olympians: Graeme Moore, Free Style Swimming, South Africa

Not to be confused with the British navy officer, Graeme Moore is a recent Cal swimmer (2008-11) and graduate (2012) that was a pivotal part of the 2011 NCAA National Championship team for the Bears, when he was a finalist in the 100 fly (4th), 100 free (7th), and the 50 free (8th), as well being a member of NCAA champion 400 free and 200 medley relays. This summer, he will be a first time Olympian representing his home country South Africa in the 400 free relay and possibly the 100 free, where he may go against his good friend and training partner, US Olympian Nathan Adrian.

Let's learn more about Graeme (@graemeswim) after the jump.

First a quick profile about Graeme Moore: (from the SFGate article)

Graeme Moore

Age: 23 Size: 6-5, 216.

Hometown: Johannesburg

Graduated Cal: 2012, degree in integrative biology

Event: 50 and 100 freestyle

In a mansion in the Oakland hills, Moore has been living in the "Mansh" with fellow Cal graduates and Olympic swimming hopefuls: Nathan Adrian, Will Copeland, and Sean Mahoney (only Nathan Adrian also made it to London), as well as Cal pole vaulter Allison Stokke and Theresa Raub.

About choosing swimming instead of a real job out of college:

They swim because they can. In the old days a swim career ended with college graduation. With the relaxation of amateur rules and the increase in financial opportunities, star swimmers can swim on.

"So many of our friends already have jobs at places like Google," Moore says. "I'm like, 'Hmm.' I guess we'll be old interns."

Other interesting tidbits about Graeme from the same article:

Moore's no fan of American football.

• I guess Cal football not being more successful recently doesn't help here

After the Olympics, Moore and Mahoney plan to stay in the house and pick up two new roommates.

• Keep an eye out on Craigslist for those interested in living with an Olympian!
  

Here is his 2010 interview on a swimming show:

MSS: Graeme Moore (via swimmingworldtv)

CalBears.com has a nice interview with Graeme about his upcoming Olympic experience. Here is Graeme talking about being able to race Nathan Adrian in London.

"It is just great knowing the guy you are going to be racing next to is the same guy you have been getting up in the morning and going to practice with for the past five years," said Moore. "Being able to share that with someone like Nathan is just a huge honor and a privilege."

From his CalBears.com profile, including a nice little Q & A:

International Success
• Placed 11th in both the 50 free (21.72) and 50 fly (23.25) for South Africa at the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome

• Swam the anchor leg (47.25) of South Africa's 400 medley relay that placed 10th at the 2009 World Championships

Cal Success
• Member of 2010 NCAA champion 200 free, 400 free and 200 medley (butterfly leg) relays

• Placed fifth in 100 fly (46.05), seventh in the 100 free (42.90) and ninth in the 50 free (19.29) at the 2010 NCAA championships

• Member of 2010 Pac-10 champion 400 free and 200 medley relays

• Placed second in the 100 free, third in the 100 fly and fourth in the 50 free at the 2010 Pac-10 championships

• Swam the third leg of the Bears' 2009 Pac-10 champion 200 and 400 medley relays

• On Cal school record-holding 200 medley (1:22.50, butterfly leg), 400 medley (3:01.69, butterfly leg), 200 free (1:15.13, second leg), 400 free (2:47.61, second leg) and 800 free (6:19.79, second leg) relays (joins Nathan Adrian as only people to be on all five school record relays)

• Owns the school's fifth-best all-time mark in the 100 fly (46.02), sixth-best time in the 50 free (19.22) and sixth-best mark in the 100 free (42.36)

• Pac-10 record-holder in 200 and 400 free and 200 and 400 medley relays

Personal
• Parents are Michael and Laetitia Moore

• Majoring in integrative biology

• Born Jan. 28, 1989, in Johannesburg, South Africa

CAREER-BEST TIMES
SHORT-COURSE YARDS
50 Free	19.22
100 Free 42.36
100 Fly	46.02

LONG-COURSE METERS 50 Free 21.72 100 Free 49.41 100 Fly 53.06

Name a favorite thing at Cal that you can't find at home in South Africa.
Christmas during winter and Mexican food.

How is training at Cal different from how it was back home?
The sense of camaraderie we have within the team is far greater than what I have experienced ever before. Everyone is dedicated to a something greater than themselves; helping one another to team as well as individual goals, which makes it a fun and inspiring environment to be in.

What is your favorite memory from your time at Cal?
Watching the sun set over the golden gate from the top of the Berkeley Hills with friends.

Good luck to our "Cal"ympian Graeme Moore in London! GO BEARS!