Ross Elliott Wales (born October 17, 1947) is an American former competition swimmer for Princeton University and a 1968 Olympic Games bronze medalist in the 100-meter butterfly.

[5] Representing the YMCA Neptune again in November, 1964, he swam a :54.9, winning the 100-yard butterfly at the YMCA-Neptune age group meet in Youngstown, Ohio.

[6] At the Lake Erie District meet around late August 1963, at the age of 15, Wales swam a 1:02.9 for the 100-meter butterfly, still representing the Youngstown YMCA Neptunes.

[8] Known for outstanding technique in a stroke that was difficult to perform, Wales's early coach with the Neptune Swim Club, Sherman Law, noted that Ross was "so well coordinated that his finesse in the butterfly, rather than strength and endurance, was the secret of his success.” As a High School Senior in 1965, while representing Rayen High School, Ross broke the national record for the 100-yard butterfly by swimming a 52.2, breaking the record of 52.4 set by Olympian gold medalist Don Schollander in 1964.

[10] Wales swam for Princeton University under Hall of Fame swimming and diving coach Bob Clotworthy, graduating in June, 1969.

[3] He represented the United States at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, where he received a bronze medal in the men's 100-meter butterfly, finishing behind compatriots Doug Russell and Mark Spitz.

[13] In International competition, Ross won a silver medal in the 100-meter butterfly at the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada.

On April 9, 1971, Wales competed in the 200-yard butterfly at the National AAU short course swimming Championships in Pullman, Washington where he swam against Gary Hall of Indiana.

He served in Vietnam, but later returned to complete his Juris Doctor degree at the University of Virginia's Charlottesville campus.