Aaron Peirsol

Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer

Travels From Travels From:
Honolulu County, HI, USA
Speaking Fee Speaking Fee:
REQUEST BOOKING INFORMATION

Aaron Peirsol Biography

Double time

Heading into Olympic Trials, Peirsol's only goal was to make the team. He did better than that, first winning the 100m back in one of the fastest fields in history and lowering his own world record to 52.89. The bigger test came in the 200m back, where he was facing world champion and world-record holder Ryan Lochte. The two were stroke for stroke at the finish, but Peirsol beat Lochte by .02 of a second and tied the world record, setting up another showdown in Beijing.

Triple threat

Peirsol was the heavy favorite in both backstroke races in Athens, owning both world records and having just set a new standard in the 200m backstroke at Olympic Trials. Michael Phelps finished second in that Trials race, and Peirsol's performance was enough to convince Phelps, who dropped the 200 back from his Olympic program. Peirsol went 3-for-3 in Athens, capturing gold in the 100m and 200m back, as well as the 4x100 medley relay, which set the world record that still stands.

DQ controversy

Peirsol also was at the center of one of the most bizarre incidents in Athens, when he was initially disqualified after winning the 200. Peirsol was leaving the pool deck when the scoreboard changed to reflect the DQ, bumping Austrian Markus Rogan up to first. The French judge who made the call stated that Peirsol had made an illegal turn, but Peirsol and the U.S. coaches immediately appealed. The decision was shortly overturned, after officials said the disqualification was improperly filed, and Peirsol was reinstated as the gold medalist. Despite all the confusion, Peirsol said he remained relaxed. "I knew I didn't do anything wrong," he said.

Not a sprinter?

Even though Peirsol holds the world record in the 100m back, he doesn't consider himself a 100 swimmer. Peirsol and his coach, Eddie Reese, say his style is much better suited for the 200, since he lacks the early speed of sprinters. Peirsol believes if a backstroker comes along who can duplicate what Ian Crocker does in the 100m butterfly, his record will be gone and he would no longer dominate the event.

Seven-year streak

Peirsol made his Olympic debut as a 17-year-old in Sydney, winning a silver medal in the 200m backstroke behind friend and teammate Lenny Krayzelburg. Peirsol didn't finish second again in that race at an international meet until 2007, when another teammate, Ryan Lochte, took gold at the World Championships in March. Lochte also took down Peirsol's world record, placing Peirsol in the unusual position of chasing a rival. Just a few days earlier at Worlds, Peirsol won the 100 back and broke the world record as the first man ever to break 53 seconds. Lochte finished second.

Back to the sea

Growing up in Southern California, Peirsol learned to swim in the ocean. Most of his swimming is now done in the pool, but Peirsol's connection with the ocean led him to join with the environmental group Oceana to raise awareness about environmental threats. As part of the effort, he launched racefortheoceans.com, where fans can sponsor Peirsol as he trains for Beijing, pledging a donation for every mile he swims. (He swims about 100 miles every month in training.) Peirsol also frequently blogs on the site, about training, racing and supporting the cause.

Texas transplant

Though Peirsol hails from Irvine, Calif., he has lived in Austin, Texas, since he enrolled at the University of Texas in 2002. He says leaving California, and longtime coach Dave Salo, was the hardest decision he ever had to make, but he enjoyed the college life and remains there even though he graduated in December 2007. Peirsol bought a house for himself in Austin, but he doesn't spend all his time there -- he also bought land in Costa Rica and built a house there.

Part of the gang Peirsol is one of several Olympians training in Austin. Every day, he swims alongside world-record holders Brendan Hansen (100m and 200m breaststroke) and Ian Crocker (100m butterfly) and they are coached by U.S. Olympic team coach Eddie Reese. All three attended Texas and have been together since before Athens -- where they were all on the podium, with Jason Lezak, after winning the 4x100m medley relay in world-record time.

BOOK Aaron Peirsol

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/16/2024.

Aaron Peirsol Videos

  • Orlando Grand Prix 2014: Aaron Peirsol - YouTube

FAQs on booking Aaron Peirsol

  • How do I book Aaron Peirsol to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Aaron Peirsol for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Aaron Peirsol, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Aaron Peirsol or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Aaron Peirsol

    Speaking fees for Aaron Peirsol, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Aaron Peirsol are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Aaron Peirsol, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Aaron Peirsol speak about?

    Aaron Peirsol is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Athlete, Inspirational, Motivational, Olympic Athlete, Sports, Swimming & Diving.
  • Where does Aaron Peirsol travel from?

    Aaron Peirsol generally travels from Honolulu County, HI, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Aaron Peirsol’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Aaron Peirsol for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Aaron Peirsol for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Aaron Peirsol or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Aaron Peirsol is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Aaron Peirsol for your event is available upon request. Aaron Peirsol generally travels from Honolulu County, HI, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Mike Eruzione, Conrad Anker, Rudy Ruettiger, Joe Theismann and Mark Spitz. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Aaron Peirsol for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.

  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP