Natali Kaflin
USABiography of Natalie Coughlin
Natalie Coughlin is a famous American swimmer, a three-time Olympic champion, and a five-time world champion. She has also broken numerous world records. Coughlin stands at 173 cm tall and has Filipino and Irish roots.
Olympic Success
During the 2004 Olympics in Athens, 21-year-old Coughlin won five Olympic medals from August 14th to 21st. Her collection included two golds, two silvers, and one bronze. She set one Olympic record, one world record (as part of the 4x200m freestyle relay team), and one U.S. record.
Leadership in Beijing
In the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Coughlin was chosen as the co-captain of the United States women's swimming team. She shared this role with four-time Olympic champion Dara Torres and two-time Olympic champion Amanda Beard.
World Records
As of August 13, 2008, Coughlin held three world records. These records were for the 100-meter backstroke in short course swimming (56.51 seconds since October 28, 2007), the 100-meter individual medley in short course swimming (since November 3, 2002), and the 4x200m freestyle relay (since March 29, 2007, as part of the U.S. team).
Coughlin had previously held a world record for the 100-meter backstroke in long course swimming, breaking it five times in total. Although she lost this record to Zimbabwean swimmer Kirsty Coventry in the heats of the Beijing Olympics, Coughlin won the gold medal in the final without setting a new record.
Accolades
In 2002, Coughlin was named the world's best swimmer by Swimming World magazine. She was also recognized as the best swimmer in the U.S. during the 2001-02 season.
