Tom Shields

Tom Shields, born on July 11, 1991, is a distinguished American competitive swimmer known for his remarkable achievements in the pool. As a two-time Olympian, he has made a significant mark in the world of swimming, particularly in the butterfly events.

Shields holds the American record in both the short course 50-meter butterfly and the 200-meter butterfly. His Olympic journey began at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where he contributed to a gold medal victory in the 4×100-meter medley relay, swimming the butterfly leg during the prelims. That same year, he made history by becoming the first American to swim the 100-yard butterfly in under forty-four seconds, setting a new American record with a time of forty-three point eighty-four seconds.

In the 2020 Summer Olympics, Shields again showcased his talent by swimming the butterfly leg of the 4×100-meter medley relay in the prelims, helping secure another gold medal as the finals relay clinched first place. His prowess continued to shine at the Kazan stop of the 2021 FINA Swimming World Cup, where he was the sole representative from the United States, winning two gold medals and one silver in individual events.

Throughout the 2021 World Cup, Shields emerged as the highest scoring American competitor and the second-highest scoring male competitor overall, further solidifying his status as one of the elite swimmers in the sport.