Rafael Vidal

Rafael Antonio Vidal Castro (January 6, 1964 – February 12, 2005) was a Venezuelan swimmer and sports commentator. He was a native of Caracas, Venezuela.

At age 19, Vidal became the first Venezuelan swimmer to win an Olympic medal in the 200 m butterfly competition in the 1984 Summer Olympics. Although he was the smallest man in the pool at 5-foot-6, Vidal was well ahead of West Germany's 6-foot-7 Michael Gross at the finish. However, one of Gross' elongated arms managed to touch the poolside first, robbing Vidal of silver. That heroic bronze-medal finish made him a national celebrity, with his image splashed on magazine and newspaper covers throughout Venezuela. His mark ranks him as the 8th of the top 10 swimmers in the 200 m butterfly of all times.

A year later, Vidal left sports to pursue a career in administration and earned his master's degree in Computer Sciences from the University of Florida in Gainesville. After returning to Venezuela, he was employed by a local TV channel as a sports commentator and became a well-know TV personality.

Rafael Vidal died in Caracas, Venezuela on the early dawning morning of February 12, 2005 when a careless speeding Hummer crashed into his car. The athlete was 41 years of age when he died.

A "Million Meter Swim" (Un Millón de metros por Rafael Vidal) [http://www.vaacmaster.com.ve/millondemetros/english/index.htm] was held on February 12, 2006, at which more than 14 million meters were swum by swimmers from Venezuela and around the globe.