Janet Evans
Despite her small size and unorthodox windmill stroke, Janet Evans was a natural-born swimmer who was swimming laps at the age of two. Four-time Olympic gold medalist, Janet Evans, has been recognized as the best female distance swimmer in United States history.
In addition to a record-setting four gold medals, she holds six American records, three world records, 45 national titles, 17 international titles, and five NCAA titles. Janet is a true legend in her sport as well as in women's sports.
Born in Placentia, California in 1971, Evans began swimming at a very young age - just two years old! Evans was setting National Age Group records when she was only 11, and at 15 years old the young super-athlete broke world records in the 400, 800 and the 1500-meter freestyle. She attended El Dorado High School and later went to the University of Southern California.
At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Evans won her first gold medal in the 400-meter individual medley. Three days later, she won the 400-meter freestyle and broke her own world record by 1.6 seconds. She added a third Olympic victory in the 800-meter freestyle.
At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Evans easily defended her title in the 800-meter by leading from start to finish, and she beat the other competitors by a total of eight meters. While there, she also won the silver medal in the 400-meter freestyle.
Evans made one final appearance at the Olympics in 1996, but cites running the Olympic torch as the highlight of that Olympics over the actual competition. Considered the greatest female distance swimmer of all time, her world records for the 400, the 800 and the 1,500-meter races set in 1988 and 1989, have yet to be broken.
In 1989 Janet was the recipient of the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States. She was also named the "Female World Swimmer of the Year" by Swimming World magazine in 1987, 1989, and 1990.
Janet has also made great strides out of the pool, making a name for herself as a commercial spokesperson, author, and reality television personality. Published in 2007, her popular book Total Swimming offers fitness programs, workouts, and proper swim techniques to readers.
Since her retirement from competitive swimming, Evans has been a motivational speaker and corporate spokesperson for companies such as AT&T, Speedo, Campbell's, PowerBar, John Hancock, Cadillac, and Xerox. In 2008, Evans competed on the NBC show, "Celebrity Circus."
As a mother, highly respected motivational speaker, athlete, and author, Janet always puts forth her greatest effort and succeeds in whatever she puts her mind to. An inspiration to a wide range of audiences, Janet Evans remains a legendary athlete of her generation.
MOST REQUESTED TOPICS:
Leadership through Goal Attainment
Peak Performance
Team building and Excellence
What to do when you are #1!
Goals are not dreams, Dreams are!
Testimonials:
- No question the highlight of the evening. Very nice, bright, well spoken individual with a great message for both the young athletes and others in attendance.
- She was delightful, interesting and entertaining.
- Very energetic! I don't know a thing about swimming but it didn't matter.
- It is very impressive that you can draw big name athletes to attend this event. It is always good to hear someone with Olympic or professional credentials talk about sports and how it all relates to life. Not too many of us have the opportunity to meet Olympians.
- She was a dynamic speaker with a great message for everyone in attendance. A phenomenal choice!
Despite her small size and unorthodox windmill stroke, Janet Evans was a natural-born swimmer who was swimming laps at the age of two. Four-time Olympic gold medalist, Janet Evans, has been recognized as the best female distance swimmer in United States history.
In addition to a record-setting four gold medals, she holds six American records, three world records, 45 national titles, 17 international titles, and five NCAA titles. Janet is a true legend in her sport as well as in women's sports.
Born in Placentia, California in 1971, Evans began swimming at a very young age - just two years old! Evans was setting National Age Group records when she was only 11, and at 15 years old the young super-athlete broke world records in the 400, 800 and the 1500-meter freestyle. She attended El Dorado High School and later went to the University of Southern California.
At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Evans won her first gold medal in the 400-meter individual medley. Three days later, she won the 400-meter freestyle and broke her own world record by 1.6 seconds. She added a third Olympic victory in the 800-meter freestyle.
At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Evans easily defended her title in the 800-meter by leading from start to finish, and she beat the other competitors by a total of eight meters. While there, she also won the silver medal in the 400-meter freestyle.
Evans made one final appearance at the Olympics in 1996, but cites running the Olympic torch as the highlight of that Olympics over the actual competition. Considered the greatest female distance swimmer of all time, her world records for the 400, the 800 and the 1,500-meter races set in 1988 and 1989, have yet to be broken.
In 1989 Janet was the recipient of the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States. She was also named the "Female World Swimmer of the Year" by Swimming World magazine in 1987, 1989, and 1990.
Janet has also made great strides out of the pool, making a name for herself as a commercial spokesperson, author, and reality television personality. Published in 2007, her popular book Total Swimming offers fitness programs, workouts, and proper swim techniques to readers.
Since her retirement from competitive swimming, Evans has been a motivational speaker and corporate spokesperson for companies such as AT&T, Speedo, Campbell's, PowerBar, John Hancock, Cadillac, and Xerox. In 2008, Evans competed on the NBC show, "Celebrity Circus."
As a mother, highly respected motivational speaker, athlete, and author, Janet always puts forth her greatest effort and succeeds in whatever she puts her mind to. An inspiration to a wide range of audiences, Janet Evans remains a legendary athlete of her generation.
MOST REQUESTED TOPICS:
Leadership through Goal Attainment
Peak Performance
Team building and Excellence
What to do when you are #1!
Goals are not dreams, Dreams are!
Testimonials:
- No question the highlight of the evening. Very nice, bright, well spoken individual with a great message for both the young athletes and others in attendance.
- She was delightful, interesting and entertaining.
- Very energetic! I don't know a thing about swimming but it didn't matter.
- It is very impressive that you can draw big name athletes to attend this event. It is always good to hear someone with Olympic or professional credentials talk about sports and how it all relates to life. Not too many of us have the opportunity to meet Olympians.
- She was a dynamic speaker with a great message for everyone in attendance. A phenomenal choice!
