In 1980, when the United States boycotted the Summer Olympics in the Soviet Union, among the hundreds of American athletes denied a shot at glory was a 21-year-old swimmer named Ambrose “Rowdy” Gaines IV. Rowdy was the best swimmer in the world, set to be favored in multiple events in Moscow; instead, his career now appeared over. But that wouldn’t be the end of the story — not even close. ROWDY chronicles the remarkable life of a legendary champion, from his high school days in Florida to his years at Auburn University to his Olympic career and far beyond.

Director: Hannah Storm
Producer: Jackie Decker
Editor and Producer: Tim Mullen

This is a compilation 8 min clip of the film.

ROWDY took home the Gold World Medal for Best Biography/Documentary/Profile and Silver World Medal for Best Sports Documentary at the 2019 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards