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Keena Rothhammer
Keena Rothhammer.jpg
Personal information
Born (1957-02-26) February 26, 1957 (age 68)
Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight 146 lb (66 kg)
Sport
Sport Swimming
Strokes Freestyle
Club Santa Clara Swim Club
Medal record
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold 1972 Munich 800 m freestyle
Bronze 1972 Munich 200 m freestyle
World Championships (LC)
Gold 1973 Belgrade 200 m freestyle
Silver 1973 Belgrade 400 m freestyle
Shane Gould, Keena Rothhammer, Novella Calligaris 1972
Rothhammer (right) at 1972 Olympics

Keena Ruth Rothhammer was born on February 26, 1957. She is an American swimmer who won an Olympic gold medal. She also held world records in swimming. Keena was born in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Keena Rothhammer's Swimming Career

As a teenager, Keena grew up in Santa Clara, California. She trained with the Santa Clara Swim Club. Her coach was George Haines. He was famous for coaching many U.S. Olympic swimmers.

Olympic Success in 1972

When she was 15 years old, Keena represented the United States. She competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. She won a gold medal in the women's 800-meter freestyle race. Keena set a new world record in this event. She broke the record twice, on two days in a row.

She also won a bronze medal at the 1972 Olympics. This was in the women's 200-meter freestyle event.

World Championships and Awards

In 1973, Keena competed at the 1973 World Aquatics Championships. She won the 200-meter freestyle race. She also finished second in the 400-meter freestyle event. That same year, she was named North American Athlete of the Year.

Keena Rothhammer was honored for her amazing career. In 1991, she was added to the International Swimming Hall of Fame. She was recognized as an "Honor Swimmer."

See Also

  • List of Olympic medalists in swimming (women)
  • List of World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming (women)
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