The World Competes

Although the swimming world was focused on Michael Phelps in 2008, another swimmer had an impressive year as well. This swimmer was Natalie Coughlin. In any other era, her accomplishments would seem amazing.

Coughlin’s first Olympics was in Athens in 2004. There, she won two gold medals, two silver medals, and a bronze. In 2008, while everyone was paying attention to Michael Phelps, she won one gold, two silver, and three bronze medals, for a total of 11 medals total. In Beijing, she was the first female athlete to win six medals at one Olympics.

Coughlin is currently 27 and still practices at the pool; hopefully we will see her return in 2012. Outside of swimming, she has been on Dancing with the Stars (Season 1). She got married in 2009. She likes to cook; she has been a judge on Iron Chef America, and recently appeared on “The View From the Bay” as a guest chef. Click on the link to see her on View from the Bay.