Kutler, Dan

Sport:
swimming

Country Represented:
Israel

Years Competed:
1996

Olympic Info:
Kutler was a member of the Israeli swim team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. At the Games, Kutler (a butterfly swimmer) was a member of the 4x100-meter medley relay team (Kutler, breaststroker Vadim Alexeev, freestyler Yoav Bruck, and backstroker Eithan Urbach) which advanced to the final after finishing fourth in their preliminary heat with a time of 3:42.24. It was the first time an Israeli team competed in an Olympic swimming final. Kutler and his teammates finished in eighth place with a time of 3:42.90.

In Atlanta, Kutler also competed in the 100-meter butterfly, finishing 31st with a time of 55.11 (breaking his own national record). Following his record-breaking race, Kutler said:" ...I think I am capable of doing that (swimming under 55 seconds) but I was a little nervous. This is my first Olympics, and my last...I'm happy I at least got the record."

Career Highlights:
Kutler began his swimming career after falling into a pool as a youngster, and swam his first race at the age of eight. Growing up in California, Kutler was a seven-time All-America while attending the University of California-Los Angeles. In 1991, he won a gold medal in the medley relay and a bronze in the 100-meter butterfly at the World University Games.

In 1995, Kutler began competing for Israel internationally in preparation for the Olympics and had a very successful year. At the European Championships, he finished in 16th place in the 100-meter butterfly (56.39), and helped the 400-meter medley relay team finish in sixth place with a time of 3:44.94. That year, he also broke the Israeli national record in the 100-meter butterfly with a time of 55.16, a record he would break at the 1996 Olympics. In 1997, Dan won the 100-meter butterfly at the Maccabiah Games.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. May 2, 1970

Origin:
Mountain View, California

< Previous |  Next >