Paul Neumann (swimmer)

Paul Neumann (13 June 1875 in Vienna – 9 February 1932) was an Austrian swimmer and physician, who competed at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens and became the first ever Austrian gold medalist.

Biography

Neumann was Jewish, and born in Vienna. Neumann was first noticed for his swimming when in 1892 he won the Austrian National River Championship, two years later he won the 500 metres at the Austrian Championships. Neumann also entered the 1200 metre freestyle which was straight after his victory which is why he didn't finish the race.

He immigrated to the U.S. after the 1896 Olympic Games. There, he became a physician, and earned a Ph.D. in philosophy.