Robert Ovirk
Competition | 1996
Like so many athletes before him, Bob was introduced to wheelchair sports as a student and Gizz Kid at the University of Illinois from 1969 to 1973. He quickly developed into one of the nation’s elite few Class IB swimmers. By the time of his retirement from competition in 1980, Bob had compiled an enviable record of national, world and Paralympic records in swimming.
He was a competing member in the National Wheelchair Athletic Association at the regional, national a n d international levels from 1969 to 1980. Bob was a contributing and versatile team member on the USA National Team. He competed nationally and internationally in track, field, swimming, table tennis, basketball, slalom and archery, although swimming was by far his strongest sport.
Bob’s legacy in the sport of swimming was unmatched, resulting in twenty-three USA National records; eleven World records and seven Paralympic records. In three separate Paralympic competitions (Heidelberg, Germany in 1972; Toronto, Canada in 1976; and Tel Aviv, Israel in 1980), Bob won four gold medals, five silver medals and one bronze. At the Stoke Mandeville Games in England in 1969, 1970, 1976 and 1980, he garnered five gold medals, 4 silver medals and two bronze. In addition, Bob was also a team member of the USA contingent to two Pan American Games in 1971 and 1978. In addition, Bob was a participant in the very first wheelchair marathon in Toledo, Ohio in 1974.
Bob also gave back to the sports that provided him so much. He was a member of the Toledo Silver Streaks Wheelchair Sports Team from 1973 to 1983, serving as the head coach from 1979-83. He had an enviable record as a coach, winning 117 games while losing only 37. He led the Silver Streaks to three Eastern Sectional runner-up places and the Lake Erie Conference Coach of the Year in 1979-80. Bob also served as coach of an ASA softball team for six years.
