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Michael Phelps is probably
the best swimmer to date. He is just 18 years old ,currently holds 5 world
records, and 8 American records. Michael Phelps best events are the 100m,
and 200m butterfly, as well as the 200IM(individual medley) and the 400IM,
Which are 4 or the 5 world records he holds. Michael Phelps won the 200m
fly in 2000 at the world cup at just 15 years old, and holds almost every
15-16, and 17-18 national age group record. He was the youngest member of
the men's U.S Olympic team in 2000 at age 15.
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Mark Spitz began swimming at just 2
years of age! He held 17 national age group records at age 10, and was
named "Worlds best ten and under swimmer." When Spitz was 16, he
won his first national championship. At 17 he he won 5 gold medals and
broke ten world records, at the Pan American Games. In 1986, at the age of
18, Spitz had the goal to win six Olympic gold medals at the Mexico games. He
ended up with 4 gold medals, a silver medal, and a bronze medal. Most
would say that this is quite an accomplishment, but Spitz was disappointed,
he didn't take 6 gold. Spitz was much happier with his accomplishments at
the 1972 games held in Germany. Here he won seven Olympic gold medals, and
set records in each of the events he won. To date, this is the best
performance by an individual at an Olympic games. Unfortunately in 1972,
the Palestinian terrorists killed two Israelites in Germany (where games
were held.) Being Jewish, Spitz left the games early and was unable to
attend the closing ceremony. He then tried to go into the television business,
but his career was short lived. In 1992, Spitz tried to qualify for the
Olympic games once more, but just missed the cut. Mark Spitz is still
known as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
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At only 14
years old, Amanda Beard made her first Olympic games which were held in
1996. At the games she won a gold and two silver medals. In 1999, Amanda
Beard was ranked as low as 23rd in her best event (200m breaststroke),
because of a peak that she reached. In 2000, she proved that she wasn't
one who gave up, when she placed seconded at the Olympic trials earning
her a spot on the team. At the 2000 games she captured a bronze. In 2001,
she placed second in the 200m breaststroke, at spring Nationals, and came
back and won it at the NCAA Championships. In 2002 at the World
Championships, she broke an American record in the 200m breaststroke, won
a gold and silver medal. In the summer nationals she won the 200
breaststroke, and took the in the 100m breaststroke. In 2003, Amanda tied
the world record in the 200m breaststroke, at the Duel in the Pool meet
against Australia, were she won her fifth national title. |
| Kristy
Kowal, one of the most famous athletes ever, was not even herd of until
1998. In 1998 she clenched the world title in the 100m breaststroke, where
she beat out Amanda Beard. She broke the American record in the 200m
breaststroke in 98' and it stood until 2000, when Amanda Beard took the
title. Kowal won silver at the 2000 Olympic Games in the 200m
breaststroke, is a 4 time national champion, and 4 time NCAA Champion.
Kristy has over seven current sponsors, and a few of her biggest competitors
include Megan Kwan, and Amanda Beard. |
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Mary T
Meagher also
known as Madame Butterfly set two world records in 1984 in the 100m and
200m butterfly, which stood stood for 19 years! She was a member of the
1980, 1984, and 1988 Olympic Team. 1984 was her most successful year,
where she broke 2 world records and won 3 Olympic gold medals. In 1993 she
was selected to the international
swimming Hall of Fame and in 2000 she was introduced to the Bay area Hall
of Fame. |
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