Men's Swimming
    Israeli Olympian Toumarkin Signs With Trojans
    Incoming swimmer should make immediate impact in backstroke, medley relays.
    Yacov Toumarkin
    Yacov Toumarkin

    Dec. 10, 2012

    Israeli swimmer Yacov Toumarkin, a 2012 Olympic finalist in the 200-meter backstroke, has signed with USC, men's and women's swimming head coach Dave Salo announced Monday (Dec. 10).

    "Yacov strengthens a backstroke crew headed by senior All-American Alex Lendrum," Salo said. "He is clearly one of the best in the world and he will make an immediate impact."

    Toumarkin became just the second Israeli swimmer ever to race in an Olympic swimming final when he finished seventh in the 200m back at the 2012 London Games.

    The national record holder in the 100m and 200m back, Toumarkin burst onto the international scene earlier this year in May when he won bronze medals in both distances at the 2012 European Championships.

    Toumarkin was also a double medalist at the 2010 Youth Olympics and the 2010 European Junior Championships.