[1] A two-time Olympian (1996 and 2000), he holds numerous Ecuadorian records in both 100 and 200 m butterfly, and retains his dual resident status to compete internationally for his parents' homeland.

His older brothers David and Eddie swam for the Mission Viejo High School team, while his cousin Jorge Delgado, Jr. competed in the 200 m butterfly (2:04.60) at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, finishing behind Americans Mark Spitz, Gary Hall, Sr., and Robin Backhaus.

His other sibling Felipe Delgado was primarily a water polo player in high school, before he officially became an elite sprint freestyle swimmer.

[3] Being natural on the water in his early childhood, Delgado began competing in numerous age group meets across Mission Viejo and nearby areas.

[15][16] Three days later, in the 100 m butterfly, Delgado challenged seven other swimmers in heat two, including Guam's 28-year-old Daniel O'Keeffe, and Bosnia's three-time Olympian Janko Gojković.