Michael James Davidson (born 20 July 1963 in
Whangārei
Whangārei () is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the largest settlement of the Northland Region. It is part of the Whangarei District, created in 1989 from the former Whangarei City, Whangarei County and Hikurangi Town councils to admi ...
) is a former
freestyle swimmer
Swimming is an individual or team racing sport that requires the use of one's entire body to move through water. The sport takes place in pools or open water (e.g., in a sea or lake). Competitive swimming is one of the most popular Olympic ...
from New Zealand, who swam for the University of Alabama and won the bronze medal in the men's 400 metres freestyle at the
1986 Commonwealth Games
The 1986 Commonwealth Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland, between 24 July and 2 August 1986. This was the second Commonwealth Games to be held in Edinburgh. Thirty two of the eligible fifty nine countries (largely African, Asian and Caribbe ...
. He represented his native country in three swimming events at the
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXIII Olympiad and commonly known as Los Angeles 1984) were an international multi-sport event held from July 28 to August 12, 1984, in Los Angeles, California, United States. It marked the ...
in Los Angeles.
1984 Olympics
Before joining the University of Alabama, Davidson swam for his native New Zealand at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles where he posted top-16 finishes in the 400 and 1500-metre freestyles. He finished 14th in the 1500 meters, 16th in the 400 meters and 35th in the 200 meters.
[
]
University of Alabama
A distance ace and team captain for the University of Alabama during the late 1980s, Davidson earned All-American honors in the mile and helped lead Alabama to the 1987 Southeastern Conference team title under the direction of legendary UA coach Don Gambril.["UA Lists 20 Atletes in Games", ''The Selma Times-Journal'', Selma, Alabama, 17 July 1984, pg. 6]
Davidson earned a bronze medal at the 1986 Commonwealth Games. He was inducted into New Zealand's Northland Sports Legends Hall of Fame in 2011.[
Davidson is married to Jennifer Brothers, who was also an Alabama All-American swimmer, and was part of the women's 1985 SEC championship team. Jennifer, who is also a swimming coach, has coached the New Zealand National team.][
]
Coaching
He served as head swim coach of High Tide Aquatics Club in Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the county seat of Alachua County, Florida, United States, and the most populous city in North Central Florida, with a population of 145,212 in 2022. It is the principal city of the Gainesville metropolitan area, Florida, Gainesv ...
for five years and was announced as an assistant coach at the University of Alabama in June 2012.[ Davidson also served as head coach of Sub-4 Swimming and as a New Zealand national team coach.]
See also
* List of Commonwealth Games medallists in swimming (men)
This is the complete list of men's Commonwealth Games medallists in swimming from 1930 to 2022.
Current program
50 metre freestyle
100 metre freestyle
200 metre freestyle
400 metre freestyle
1500 metre freestyle
50 metre backstroke
...
References
1963 births
Living people
Alabama Crimson Tide men's swimmers
American swimming coaches
New Zealand expatriate swimmers in the United States
Olympic swimmers for New Zealand
New Zealand male freestyle swimmers
Swimmers at the 1984 Summer Olympics
Swimmers at the 1986 Commonwealth Games
Sportspeople from Whangārei
Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for New Zealand
Commonwealth Games bronze medallists in swimming
Alabama Crimson Tide swimming coaches
Swimmers at the 1982 Commonwealth Games
21st-century New Zealand people
Medallists at the 1986 Commonwealth Games
20th-century New Zealand sportsmen
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