Remembering Mike Burton

Three time Olympic gold medalist Mike Burton and former Billing YMCA Seahawks head coach passed away September 18 at the age of 79. We remember Mike as an amazing distance swimmer for the United States.

In 1968 at the Mexico City Olympics Mike won gold in both the 400 meter freestyle and the 1500 meter freestyle. Mike was sick at the meet yet won the 400 meter free in an Olympic record time  of 4:09.0 touching the wall by over two seconds over the silver medalist from Canada. 

Mike then won another gold medal in the 1500 meter freestyle in another Olympic record time of 16:38.9 finishing 18 seconds ahead of the American silver medalist John Kinsella.

In 1972 Mike successfully defended his gold medal in the1500 meter freestyle with a time of 15:52.58 breaking the world record in the process. Mike was the first American to successfully win the 1500 meter freestyle in back to back Olympics.

Mike swam for UCLA from 1967-1970 wining a total of five NCAA title including three in the 1650 free, one in the 500 free and one in the 200 butterfly. 

After his swimming career, Mike coaches at the Des Moines Aquatic Club, the Evergreen Swim Team in Washington, and finally as t head coach of the Billings YMCA Seahawks retiring in 2007. 

Mike made a lasting impact on the Billings YMCA Seahawks and Montana Swimming. He will be missed. Montana Swimming sends our condolences to his family and friends.