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Janet Evans

Full name: Janet Elizabeth "Beth" Evans
Gender: Female
Height: 5'6" (167 cm)
Weight: 119 lbs (54 kg)
Born: August 28, 1971 in Fullerton, California, United States
Affiliations: Trojan Swim Club
Country: USA United States
Sport: Swimming

Medals: 4 Gold, 1 Silver (5 Total)

Biography

Janet Evans is likely the greatest female long-distance swimmer of all time. She first came to prominence at the 1986 Goodwill Games, and she entered the 1988 Olympics as the world record holder in the 400 metres, 800 metres, and 1,500 metres. She did not disappoint, improving her own world record in winning the 400 metres in addition to taking gold medals in the 800 metres and the 400 metre individual medley. On her second Olympic appearance in 1992 she successfully defended her 800 metres title but suffered her first defeat in the 400 metres since 1986 when she placed second to Dagmar Hase (GER). Evans competed at the 1996 Olympics but was past her prime and failed to win a medal in the 800 metre freestyle, her only event at Atlanta. Her greatest years were from 1987-89, when she set two world records over 400 metres, two at 800 metres, and two at 1,500 metres. Between 1986-1995 she won 25 of 27 major international races over 400 metres and 22 of 23 over 800 metres. Evans’s world records for the 800, and 1,500 metre freestyle events were not bettered for 20 years, and her 400 metre world record was only broken in 2006.

Results

Glossary ▪ CSV ▪ PRE
Games Age City Sport Event Team NOC Rank Medal
1988 Summer 17 Seoul Swimming Women's 400 metres Freestyle United States USA 1 Gold WR
1988 Summer 17 Seoul Swimming Women's 800 metres Freestyle United States USA 1 Gold OR
1988 Summer 17 Seoul Swimming Women's 400 metres Individual Medley United States USA 1 Gold
1992 Summer 20 Barcelona Swimming Women's 400 metres Freestyle United States USA 2 Silver
1992 Summer 20 Barcelona Swimming Women's 800 metres Freestyle United States USA 1 Gold
1996 Summer 24 Atlanta Swimming Women's 400 metres Freestyle United States USA 17 QC
1996 Summer 24 Atlanta Swimming Women's 800 metres Freestyle United States USA 6

Women's 400 metres Freestyle

Glossary ▪ CSV ▪ PRE ▪ Event History ▪ Mouseover for column descriptions
Games Age City Sport Country Phase Unit Rank T
1988 Summer 17 Seoul Swimming United States Final 1 WR 4:03.85
1988 Summer 17 Seoul Swimming United States Round One Heat Four 1 QU 4:10.12
1992 Summer 20 Barcelona Swimming United States Final 2 4:07.37
1992 Summer 20 Barcelona Swimming United States Round One Heat Five 1 QU 4:09.38
1996 Summer 24 Atlanta Swimming United States Round One Heat Three 2 QC 4:13.60

Women's 800 metres Freestyle

Glossary ▪ CSV ▪ PRE ▪ Event History ▪ Mouseover for column descriptions
Games Age City Sport Country Phase Unit Rank T
1988 Summer 17 Seoul Swimming United States Final 1 OR 8:20.20
1988 Summer 17 Seoul Swimming United States Round One Heat Three 2 QU 8:28.13
1992 Summer 20 Barcelona Swimming United States Final 1 8:25.52
1992 Summer 20 Barcelona Swimming United States Round One Heat Four 1 QU 8:32.69
1996 Summer 24 Atlanta Swimming United States Final 6 8:38.91
1996 Summer 24 Atlanta Swimming United States Round One Heat Two 3 QU 8:38.08

Women's 400 metres Individual Medley

Glossary ▪ CSV ▪ PRE ▪ Event History ▪ Mouseover for column descriptions
Games Age City Sport Country Phase Unit Rank T
1988 Summer 17 Seoul Swimming United States Final 1 4:37.76
1988 Summer 17 Seoul Swimming United States Round One Heat Four 1 QU 4:43.04