Wally Wolf

Who was Wally Wolf?

Wallace Perry Wolf, Jr. was an American competition swimmer, water polo player, and Olympic champion. He competed in the 1948, 1952, 1956, and 1960 Summer Olympics.

As a 17-year-old representing the United States at the 1948 Olympics in London, he won a gold medal as member of the U.S. team in the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay. Four years later at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, he helped the U.S. relay team to qualify for the final of the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, but, under the international swimming rule of the time, he was not awarded with a medal because he did not swim in the event final.

He attended the University of Southern California, where he swam for the USC Trojans swimming and diving team in National Collegiate Athletic Association competition. He graduated from USC with a bachelor's degree in 1951, and later returned to USC to earn a law degree in 1957.

Wolf was a member of the U.S. men's team that finished fifth in the 1956 water polo tournament, playing in five matches. Again, four years later at the 1960 Olympics, he finished seventh with the U.S. men's water polo team in the 1960 tournament. He played all seven matches and scored five goals.