David McCagg - 1978 World Champion, 100m Freestyle
Apr 5, 2017
FloSwimming's Clark Burckle caught up with 1978 World Champion David McCagg at the 2017 ISCA Elite Showcase Classic in Clearwater, FL.
At the 1978 World Aquatics Championships in West Berlin, Germany, McCagg took home three gold medals as a member of the United States team in the 100m freestyle, 4x100 freestyle relay, and anchor of the 4x100 medley relay as well.
The pinnacle of McCagg's success came around the unfortunate time of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, Russia -- which was boycotted by then United States President Jimmy Carter. "My parents have been divorced, but nothing hurt me more than the boycott," said McCagg to Sports Illustrated in 1983, who had finished eighth in the 100-meter freestyle at the 1976 Olympic Trials and was world champion in that event in 1978. "It tore me up inside. I hated everyone who had anything to do with it. It didn't accomplish a damn thing."
McCagg still hangs around the pool deck from time to time to see his old coach, Randy Reese. Randy, now in his early 70s, is currently the Director of Aquatics at the Clearwater Aquatic Team.
