The Rick Demont Story

Rick DeMont, a young Olympic hopeful, struggles with asthma as he pursues the world record in long distance swimming.  His dream comes true in 1972 when he takes the Gold Medal at the Munich Olympics, but it is quickly stolen from him in a bitter twist of fate, and he is stripped of his medal and honor. With unwavering determination and a strength he finds within, Rick overcomes his physical limitations and proves to the swimming world, for a second time, that he is a champion.

Douglas Follmer’s documentary brings Rick DeMont’s extraordinary story of redemption to life through the testimony of DeMont himself, his family, and his coaches who share their heart-breaking recollections of Rick’s Olympic disqualification and his triumph one year later at the Swimming World Championships when he defeats his rivals and becomes the first swimmer to break 4:00 minutes in the 400 Meter Freestyle.

Production Team

Produced and Directed by Douglas Follmer
Executive Producer Rick DeMont and Charlie Dobal
Director of Photography Brian Griffith
Film Editor  Morgan Schenk
Music by Katie Quinlin
Narration by Wes Whatley