Amanda Beard
High School: Irvine HS ‘99
College: Arizona ‘03
Coached By: Cyndi Gallagher
Club: Unattached
Career Highlights
A three-time Olympian who was the second-youngest Olympic medalist in American swimming history when she won two silvers and a gold at the 1996 Games as a 14-year-old...tied the world record in the 200m breast, winning her first World title in 2003; she later claimed sole possession of the 200m breast world record when she lowered her own mark at the 2004 Olympic Trials...became the first U.S. woman since 1968 to win Olympic gold in the 200m breast...owns eight U.S. National titles.
- Olympic History: Three-time Olympian (2004, 00, 96)...captured silver in the American record-setting 100m breast and in the 200m breast, and gold in the 400m med-relay in 1996...earned bronze in the 200m breast in 2000...competed in three events in 2004, winning two silvers in the 200m breast and 400m med-relay, and gold in the Olympic record-time in the 100m breast
- World Champs History: Tied the world record in the 200m breast, winning gold in 2003...also secured silver in the 100m breast and the 400m med-relay
- Pan Pacs History: Two-time Pan Pacific Championships competitor (2002, 95)...swept both breaststrokes in 2002, capturing gold in the 100m and 200m breast...won silver for the 400m med-relay in both 2002 and 1995...earned bronze in both the 100m and 200m breast in 1995
- WUGs History: Captured silver in the 100m breast in the 1999 World University Games
- SC Worlds History: Four-time Short Course World Championships competitor (2004, 02, 00, 98)...earned gold in the American record-setting 400m med-relay in 1997...silver medalist in the 400m med-relay in 2000 and 2002, setting the American record in both races...won silver in the 200m breast and 400m med-relay in 2004
- National Titles: 100m Breast (3): '04 SPG, '97 SPG, '95 SUM...200m Breast (3): '04 SPG, '02 SUM, '97 SPG...200m IM (2): '04 SPG, '03 SPG
Records
Former WR holder in 200m BR, set at 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials...former AR holder in 200m IM, set at 2004 Olympic Games...holds AR in 200m BR, set at 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials...holds AR in 200m MED-R (SCM), set at 2000 Olympic Games...former USO holder in 400m MED-R, set at 2000 Olympic Games.
Additional Honors
- General Accolades: 2004 USA Swimming Female Race of the Year (Olympic 200m breast)
- International: 1995 Olympic Festival champion in 100m, 200m breast
- National Teams: Six-time National A Team (1995-96, 00, 02-04)...two-time National B Team (1997, 01)
- All-Star Team: Five-time (1995-96, 02-04)
- Meet Honors: 1995 P66 Spring Nationals Rookie of the Meet...tied for Phillips Performance Award at 1995 U.S. Open...broke two of Tracy Caulkins' Mission Viejo meet records in 1995
Personal
- Parents: Dan and Gayle...Dan played basketball at Washington State University
- Sibling(s): Two sisters (Leah and Taryn) who also swim
- Job Outside of Swimming: Model, TV correspondent
- Pet(s): Two cats, one dog, two rabbits and four birds
- Hobbies Outside the Pool: Snowboarding, surfing, dirt biking, shopping, film
- Charities: Spokesperson for Defenders of Wildlife, helping educate younger kids about respecting the environment...has also supported Carly's Crossing, an open water swim in Buffalo, N.Y., that raises money for pediatric cancer research
- More: Turned professional in 2001, giving up her remaining two years of college eligibility...is in the process of developing her own line of products, such as shampoo, skin care, self tanning and fragrances
- Favorites: TV shows: "Best Damn Sports Show"...movie: "Young Guns"...music: Greatful Dead, Neil Diamond