Janet Evans

Biography

Janet Evans was a tiny distance swimmer with a windmill stroke that coaches said shouldn't work, but it propelled her to four Olympic golds and world records that stood for nearly two decades. At 5'5", she had no business dominating the grueling 400m, 800m, and 1500m freestyles, but her relentless pace and unorthodox technique carried her to glory. Her 400m freestyle record from 1988 lasted until 2006; her 800m record survived until 2008. She carried the torch for American women's distance swimming through an era when few could match her endurance. The little engine that could, Evans proved that will could overcome physical limitations.

Career Highlights

• 4 Olympic gold medals
• 6 world records
• 400m, 800m, 1500m records stood ~20 years
• Won gold at 17 and 20
• Greatest female distance swimmer

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