Peter Cornelis Prijdekker (born 22 June 1948) is a former swimmer from the

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

. He competed at the

1972 Summer Olympics The 1972 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad () and commonly known as Munich 1972 (german: München 1972), was an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from 26 August to 11 September 1972. ...

, where he was eliminated in the heats of the 200 m, 4 × 100 m and the 4 × 200 m freestyle events. He grew up in

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

, but moved to the Netherlands to be able to participate in the Olympic Games, in the time when South Africa was banned by the

IOC The International Olympic Committee (IOC; french: link=no, Comité international olympique, ''CIO'') is a non-governmental sports organisation based in Lausanne, Switzerland. It is constituted in the form of an association under the Swiss ...

. After retirement from senior swimming he competed in the masters category. He also took part in five

Gay Games The Gay Games is a worldwide sport and cultural event that promotes acceptance of sexual diversity, featuring lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) athletes, artists and other individuals. Founded as the Gay Olympics, it was starte ...

winning at least 18 gold medals. He is gay, and was banished by his swimming club after his partner died of

AIDS Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus. Following initial infection an individual m ...

. He then moved to London, where in 2007, together with Tim Denyer, he founded the Red Top Swim company, where he works as a swimming coach.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prijdekker, Peter 1948 births Living people LGBT swimmers Dutch male freestyle swimmers Olympic swimmers for the Netherlands Swimmers at the 1972 Summer Olympics Sportspeople from Woerden Dutch gay sportsmen