we're talking about anthony irvin.e actually auctioned off his gold medal that he won in the previous summer olympics. with the proceeds, donated it. we'll give you the details right now. later on today, he'll be competing in the 50 meter freestyle, looking for another gold. let's bring in cheryl hurd with more. >> our team has been preparing for this meet for months and so has coach tony on his olympic quest. we inspire him and he inspired us. >> and now all eyes are on the half jewish, half black swimmer who lives in the east bay who qualified for the 50 freestyle competition. >> we've been swimming for a long time. both of african-american descent. and we both love the water. >> for donovan redd that's where the comparison ends. coach tony known around the world as anthony irvin coaches redd and other swimmers who are part of the oakland undercurrent. a nonprofit group that trains innercity kids to swim competitively. >> i wanted to stop, but i never left completely. >> reporter: he did leave the sport completely af

anthony irvin will swim in the 50 free finals tomorrow. it's a sprint swim, one length of the pool. this man has stamina, speed and a lot of heart. irvin actually took home the gold in this same event back in the 2000 olympics but auctioned it off to help the tsunami victims in indonesia. >>> also in primetime tonight, the marquee swimming matchup of the games, michael phelps goes for his 20th medal in the 200 individual medley relay. individual medley against ryan lochte. plus rebecca soni races for gold in the 200 breaststroke. >>> and if that's not enough, you can see the women's gymnastics individual all-around tonight. our primetime coverage starts at 8:00 p.m. and is followed by nbc bay area news right after the olympics. >>> sister act. today venus and serena williams won their doubles match against the number two italian team and now will advance to the olympic semifinals. the victory is especially amazing for venus. she's battling much more than just tennis opponents. she was kdiagnosed with an autoimmune disease that recently forced her to drop out of competitive tennis fo