These efforts in international competition have been equally fruitful. Among those who have competed in international meets, seven have earned the title of world champion.

Melvin Stewart, who competed for the Vols in 1988-90, claimed a number of world championships during his career. Most impressive was his performance at the 1990 World Championships in Perth, Australia. Entering the 200-meter butterfly with a number one world ranking in that event, the Fort Mill, S.C., native turned in a world-record time of 1:55.69. Stewart also struck gold at the 1986, 1990 and 1994 Goodwill Games. In the 1990 edition, he set the Goodwill Games record in the 200 butterfly (1:57.05) and was a member of the champion 800-meter freestyle team.

Evan Stewart, a native of Harare, Zimbabwe, who completed his career at UT in 1997, is a veteran of many international competitions. His most impressive victory came at the 1994 World Championships in Rome. As the youngest of 37 competitors, Stewart claimed gold in the one-meter diving competition with a score of 382.14. The two-time NCAA champion added another pair of international victories by winning both the one-meter and three-meter diving competitions at the All-Africa Games in 1995. Most recently, Stewart won the gold medal in three-meter diving at the 2000 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia.

Tripp Schwenk, a 1996 Olympic gold and silver medalist, had a number of international competitions that helped him prepare for his performance at the Atlanta games. Schwenk won the 200 backstroke at the 1991 World University Games as well as both the 100- and 200-meter backstroke events at the 1993 Short course World Championships. Additionally, Schwenk has contributed to three world champion efforts in the 400 medley relay.