South African swimmer Cameron van der Burgh

Olympics Day 2 - Swimming
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 29: (L-R) Silver medallist Christian Sprenger of Australia, gold medallist Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa and bronze medallist Brendan Hansen of the United States pose on the podium during the medal ceremony following the Men's 100m Breastsroke final on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on July 29, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (Clive Rose)

The South African made waves by destroying the rest of the men's 100-meter breaststroke field en route to the gold medal and new world record. He won his country's first gold at the 2012 Olympics and was also its first male swimmer to win an individual gold.