Bidrman attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he competed for the Nebraska Cornhuskers on the collegiate swim team. Graduating in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Business, Bidrman continued his education and received his Masters in Economics in 1995. Bidrman was also named an Academic All-American in 1990.
Swimming career
Bidrman was a member of the Czechoslovak national team from 1980 to 1985, until his arrival in Sweden where he competed for the Malmö KK swim club. In 1988, Bidrman was selected as a member of the Swedish Olympic Team, but was unable to compete due to regulations concerning transfer of representative country. However at the age of 26, Bidrman was once again selected as a member of the Swedish Olympic Team. At the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics, Bidrman participated in both the 200-meter individual medley and the 400-meter individual medley. Bidrman was disqualified in his 200-meter individual medley race, but finished 15th overall in the 400-meter individual medley. Bidrman held both the 200-meter long course individual medley and 400-meter long course individual medley national records for Sweden during his career. At one point, he held the European record for the 400-meter short course individual medley.
Coaching career
Since his retirement as an elite swimmer, Bidrman has become an internationally acclaimed coach, coaching numerous athletes to the national and international level.
In 1997, Bidrman was appointed as head coach for the Calgary Swim Center. Since then Bidrman has been appointed as the head coach of the Calgary Academy for Swimming Excellence which works towards an “independent vision and plan for the development of continued production of internationally competitive swimmers.” [1] As head coach, Bidrman works in conjunction with the Canadian Sport Center and the carded athletes under his direction. Bidrman also acts as the high performance coach of Swim Alberta.
Legend: WR – World record;ER – European record;NR – Swedish record; Records not set in finals: h – heat;sf – semifinal;r – relay 1st leg;rh – relay heat 1st leg;b – B final;† – en route to final mark;tt – time trial
Legend: WR – World record;ER – European record;NR – Swedish record; Records not set in finals: h – heat;sf – semifinal;r – relay 1st leg;rh – relay heat 1st leg;b – B final;† – en route to final mark;tt – time trial