Born: August 23, 1982
Country: United States of America
Weight: 59 kgs
Height: 173 cm
Event: Swimming (100m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 4x100m Freestyle Relay)
Record:
2001 World Championships - 1st 100m backstroke, 3rd 50m backstroke, 2nd 4x100m medley relay
2003 World Championships - 1st 4x100m free relay (3:38.09), 2nd 4x100m medley relay
1st 4x100m free relay (3:38.09), 2nd 4x100m medley relay
Coughlin is one of the most versatile swimmers in the international arena at present. Coughlin made headlines in 1998 when she qualified for the US National Championships in every single event, every distance, every stroke. But she injured her shoulder in 1999 and battled that injury for 18 months. But she came back in 2001-2002 to win all three of her individual races — all in American record time — both years. She won NCAA Swimmer of the Year awards both years. In 2001, she won the 100m backstroke World title.
During the US National Championships she became the first women to finish the backstroke 100m lap under a minute. Coughlin failed to make the 2000 Olympic Team after placing fourth in the 200m individual medley at Trials. Since then she refined her training regimen and mental approach and became one of the sport's superstars. And looking at the track record she could well be on her way to win five medals at Athens.