He became the first man in history to break the 15 - minute barrier in the 1500 metre freestyle , swimming 's equivalent of breaking the four - minute mile .
Vladimir Salnikov ( USSR ) won three gold medals in swimming .
Vladimir Salnikov became the first man in history to break the 15 - minute barrier in the 1500 metre freestyle , swimming 's equivalent of breaking the four - minute mile .
Vladimir Salnikov ( USSR ) won three gold medals in swimming .