Janet Evans facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Janet Evans

Evans in 2014
Personal information
Born	(1971-08-28) August 28, 1971 (age 53) Fullerton, California, U.S.
Height	5 ft 5 in
Weight	119 lb
Spouse(s)	Bill Willson
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Freestyle, individual medley
Club	Fullerton Aquatics Golden West Swim Club Trojan SC
College team	Stanford University
Coach	Bud McAllister (FAST) Richard Quick (Stanford) Mark Schubert (Texas AC)(Trojan SC)
Medal record Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 4 1 0 World Championships (LC) 3 1 1 World Championships (SC) 2 0 0 Pan Pacific Championships 12 2 0 Women's Swimming Representing  United States Olympic Games Gold 1988 Seoul 400 m freestyle Gold 1988 Seoul 800 m freestyle Gold 1988 Seoul 400 m medley Gold 1992 Barcelona 800 m freestyle Silver 1992 Barcelona 400 m freestyle World Championships (LC) Gold 1991 Perth 400 m freestyle Gold 1991 Perth 800 m freestyle Gold 1994 Rome 800 m freestyle Silver 1991 Perth 200 m freestyle Bronze 1994 Rome 4 x 200 m freestyle World Championships (SC) Gold 1993 Palma 400 m freestyle Gold 1993 Palma 800 m freestyle Pan Pacific Championships Gold 1987 Brisbane 400 m freestyle Gold 1987 Brisbane 400 m medley Gold 1989 Tokyo 400 m freestyle Gold 1989 Tokyo 800 m freestyle Gold 1989 Tokyo 400 m medley Gold 1989 Tokyo 4x200 m freestyle Gold 1991 Edmonton 400 m freestyle Gold 1991 Edmonton 800 m freestyle Gold 1991 Edmonton 4x200 m freestyle Gold 1993 Kobe 400 m freestyle Gold 1993 Kobe 800 m freestyle Gold 1993 Kobe 4x200 m freestyle Silver 1987 Brisbane 800 m freestyle Silver 1991 Edmonton 200 m freestyle

Janet Beth Evans (born August 28, 1971) is a famous American swimmer. She was known for her amazing long-distance freestyle swimming. Janet won four gold medals at the 1988 Summer Olympics and 1992 Summer Olympics. She also held several world records. Janet was the first woman to hold three world records at the same time. These were for the 400, 800, and 1500-meter freestyle races. She was also the first American woman to win four individual Olympic swimming gold medals.

Janet Evans' Swimming Career

Starting Young: Early Swimming Days

Janet Evans was born in Fullerton, California. She grew up in Placentia. Janet started swimming in competitions when she was only 5 years old. By age 11, she was already setting national records for young swimmers. She trained with the Fullerton Aquatics Sports Team (FAST Swimming). Her coach, Bud McAllister, was very important to her success.

In 1987, when Janet was 15, she broke world records. These records were in the 400-meter, 800-meter, and 1,500-meter freestyle events.

High School and College Swimming

Janet went to El Dorado High School. She swam for her high school team when she was not competing for FAST. Her high school coach was Tom Milich.

After high school, Janet went to Stanford University. She swam for the Stanford Cardinal team from 1989 to 1991. Her coach at Stanford was Richard Quick. Janet was recognized as the best college female swimmer in 1988–89. She was an "All-American" eight times at Stanford. She won many distance events, including the 500-yard and 1650-yard freestyle races.

Later, Janet trained at the University of Texas Aquatic Club. This was to prepare for the 1992 Olympics. She then graduated from the University of Southern California in 1994. She studied communications there.

Olympic Achievements

1988 Seoul Olympics: Three Gold Medals

At the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, Janet was incredible. She won three individual gold medals. These were for the 400-meter freestyle, 800-meter freestyle, and 400-meter Individual Medley. People called her "Miss Perpetual Motion" because of her unique swimming style.

Janet set a new world record in the 400-meter freestyle. This record lasted for 18 years! It was finally broken in 2006. Her 1,500-meter freestyle record, set in 1988, lasted until 2007.

Her 800-meter freestyle world record (8:16:22) was set in 1989. This record stood for a very long time, until 2008. It was one of the longest-standing swimming records ever. It remained unbroken through four Olympic Games. After the 1988 Olympics, Janet continued to win. She was undefeated in the 400-, 800-, and 1500-meter freestyle events for over five years.

1992 Barcelona Olympics: More Medals

Janet made history at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. She became the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic and world championship titles in the 800-meter freestyle. She won gold in the 800-meter freestyle again in 1992. She also won a silver medal in the 400-meter freestyle.

Janet won the 400-meter and 800-meter freestyle events at the U.S. National Championships 12 times each. This is the most national titles in one event by an American swimmer.

1996 Atlanta Olympics: Torch Bearer

Janet ended her swimming career at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. She did not win any medals there. However, she had a very special moment. She was chosen to carry the Olympic torch in the opening ceremony. She then handed it to the boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who lit the Olympic cauldron.

During these Games, there was an incident. A bomb exploded near where she was being interviewed. This event startled her. Later, she had a panic attack in a subway station.

In her final Olympic race, Janet finished sixth in the 800-meter freestyle.

2012 Olympic Trials: A Comeback Attempt

In 2011, Janet decided to try a comeback. She trained to compete at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. At 40 years old, she competed in the 400-meter and 800-meter freestyle races. She did not qualify for the Olympics, but it was amazing to see her compete again.

By the end of her career, Janet held seven world records. She also had five Olympic medals, including four gold. She won 45 American national titles. Only Tracy Caulkins and Michael Phelps have won more.

Other Activities and Roles

In 2010, Janet returned to competitive swimming as a United States Masters swimmer.

In 2016, Janet was a co-Grand Marshal for the 2017 Rose Parade.

Janet also played a big role in the Los Angeles 2024 Olympic bid. She helped promote Los Angeles as a city to host the Games. Los Angeles was later chosen to host the 2028 Summer Olympics. As of 2020, Janet works as the chief athlete officer for the 2028 Summer Olympics organizing committee. This means she helps make sure the athletes' needs are met.

Janet's Unique Swimming Style

Janet Evans was known for her special "windmill" stroke. She had amazing endurance. She took more strokes per 50 meters than many other distance swimmers. Her training was very intense. In 1986, she often swam as much as 13,000 meters in a day. That's about 8 miles! Even though she was small, she often beat bigger and stronger athletes.

Awards and Recognition

Janet Evans has received many honors for her swimming.

• In 1989, she won the James E. Sullivan Award. This award goes to the top amateur athlete in the United States.
• Swimming World Magazine named her the Female World Swimmer of the Year in 1987, 1989, and 1990.
• The Los Angeles Times called her a "Rising Star" in 1988.
• She was added to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2001.
• In 1995, Janet was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.

Personal Life

Janet Evans married Bill Willson in 2004. They have two children together.

See also

In Spanish: Janet Evans para niños

• List of members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
• List of multiple Olympic gold medalists
• List of Olympic medalists in swimming (women)
• List of World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming (women)
• World record progression 400 metres freestyle
• World record progression 800 metres freestyle
• World record progression 1500 metres freestyle