Maritza Correia, born December 23, 1981 to Guyanese parents in Puerto Rico, became the first black woman to qualify for an Olympic swim team in 2004. Correia is only the second black swimmer to make a US Olympic team, following Anthony Ervin.
Maritza comes from a family of athletes, her mom played tennis in Guyana where her dad participated in crew. Maritza started swimming as a seven-year-old when a doctor suggested the sport could help with her scoliosis, a curvature of the spine. At the age of nine Maritza moved with her family from Puerto Rico to Florida.
In 1990, Correia joined the Brandon Blue Wave Swim Club, following in the footsteps of her older brother Justin. Sometimes the two siblings were only African Americans in some of their competitions. She never let the fact that she was one of the few athletes of color engaged in the sport get her down. “Probably about one percent of the U.S. swimmers are black, so it gives you an incentive to go out there and show them that we can do it, too,” Correia later said.
In high School Maritza won the 50 free (twice), 100 free, 200 free, 500 free, and 200 IM. At Tampa Bay Technical High School, Correia continued to compete, becoming one of the state’s top swimmers and made the 1997 national junior swim team. In 1999, Correia became the U.S. national champion of 50-meter freestyle event for swimmers aged 18 or younger. She graduated high school that year and moved up to college-level swimming competitions while attending the University of Georgia.
After a disappointing performance at the 2000 Olympic Trials, Correia almost quit the sport. However, with her Georgia teammates, coaches and her mother, Correia was convinced to give it another shot at the 2004 Olympic Trials. “One thing that got me by was having the collegiate season right after Olympic Trials…being around my teammates and coaches helped me get pass the disappointment,” she told the St. Petersburg Times in 2008. “Looking back at 2000, I was a very inexperienced international swimmer, and changes needed to be made,” Correia said. “I knew that I had to make more national teams and more trips and gain some experience, which would help my confidence. Within the past four year, I have broken SEC records, NCAA records, American records, been to two world championship meets, and have continuously been one of the top swimmers in my events at meets throughout the years.”
Getting back on track, Correia began a training regime consisting of swimming 14,000 meters per day, six days a week. This meant she spent about five hours in the water each day. Her hard work paid off, as she won a gold and silver medal at the 2001 World Championships for the 800-meter freestyle relay and the 400-meter freestyle relay respectively. She went on to set two records at the 2002 Women’s NCAA Championships in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events. The following year, Correia brought home another gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle relay at the World Championships.
In 2004, Correia made history as the first African American woman to earn a place on the U.S. Olympic Swim Team. She helped secure the silver medal in the 400-meter freestyle relay at the Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. As her winning streak continued, Correia won four gold medals at the 2005 World University Games in 50-meter freestyle, 400-meter freestyle relay, 800-meter freestyle relay, and 400-meter medley relay.
Maritza is married to former University of Georgia Track and Field athlete Chadwick McClendon who participated in the shot putt and discus throw.
Maritiza’s Achievements
• 2004 Olympic silver medalist in 400m free relay
• In 2006 World Champs, Correia won the silver medal in the 50 free. In 2007 at Pan American Games in Rio Correia won 2 gold medals in the 200 free relay and 200 medley relay
• Became the first African-American woman to be on the U.S. Olympic swim team and first African-American woman ever to set an American record in swimming
• American record-holder in 50y free (previously held by Amy Van Dyken)
• Finished fourth in the 50m free at the 2005 World Championship trials
• Gold medalist in the 400m free relay at the 2004 short course World Championships
• Took first in the 400m free relay at the 2003 World Championships; relay gold medalist (800m free relay), silver medalist (400m free relay) at 2001 World Championships
• Won four events at 2002 NCAAs (50y, 100y free, 200y and 400y free relays) in American-record time
• Former American record holder in the 100y free, which was previously held by Jenny Thompson
• Dubbed “Relay Woman” by the swimming world for her ability to anchor relays with great success and run down opponents – “As soon as I dive in, my goal is to catch as many people as I can,” Correia said.
• Began swimming in Puerto Rico at age seven when her doctor recommended swimming as therapy for her severe scoliosis
• Works with inner city schools and detention centers to get kids involved in sports, especially swimming
• Family moved to Florida when she was eight years old
• Born two days before Christmas in 1981 in San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Nickname is “Ritz” and has three dogs, Malibu, Tyson and Bentley
Quote: On if she is going to be the next Amy Van Dyken or Jenny Thompson: “I’m not gonna be the next Amy Van Dyken. I’m gonna be the first Maritza Correia. I want people to know me for me. And being the first African-American woman to hold World and American records definitely sets that tone.”
