The American swimmer has won multiple medals in the Summer Games to ink her name in the history books.
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Natalie Coughlin is arguably the best female swimmer of her generation. With 12-Olympic medals, Coughlin will always be considered as one of the greatest swimmers to compete in the Summer Games. The multi-talented swimmer has won multiple medals in various categories, making her the athlete to beat. Beyond the Olympics, she has also won numerous World Championships and Pan Pacific Championships medals. The former World Swimmer of the Year Award winner has undoubtedly played a huge part in increasing the popularity of the sport.
It is hard to classify Natalie as a specialist in a particular category. Be it butterfly, freestyle and backstroke, she has the ability to dominate them all. From a young age, the American star has possessed huge talent at her disposal. Her major breakthrough at the senior circuit arrived in the 2001 World Championships. Having clinched the Silver in the 4×100m medley and the Bronze in 50m backstroke, Coughlin’s coveted Gold came in the 100m backstroke. This was the moment she attained her first major spotlight.
Natalie continued her impressive form to qualify for the 2004 Athens Olympics. Her stellar form transformed into medals as the American won five medals in her maiden Olympics. The Gold in the 100m backstroke event announced her arrival in the tournament in style. She won another Gold as a member of the 4×200m freestyle relay, besides winning two Silver in the 4×100m freestyle and the 4×100m medley. Her lone Bronze came in the 100m freestyle.
After the Athens Olympics, Natalie attained massive stardom as her popularity skyrocketed. She became a household name, making her a huge fan favourite. Her impressive form continued in other tournaments, but it was in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she reached legendary status after winning six Olympic medals. While Silver medals came in the 4×100m freestyle and the 4×100m medley, her three Bronze medals were won in the 100m freestyle, 200m medley, 4×200m freestyle.
Natalie’s major moment came in the 100m backstroke, when she leapfrogged Kirsty Coventry and Margaret Hoelzer to bag her third Olympic Gold. Thus, Natalie became the first American female athlete to win six medals in a single Olympics. Coughlin did not enjoy a lot of success in the 2012 London Olympics as she won just the Bronze medal in the 4×100m freestyle relay.
With multiple medals, she was a symbol of consistency in her prime. Coughlin’s versatility allowed her to compete at multiple fronts as she went on to win a plethora of medals. The 12 Olympic medals will undoubtedly serve as the most memorable moments of her career. Natalie’s stellar performances will forever be a huge inspiration for budding swimmers.
