Janet Evans is a swimmer who has competed for the United States. She competed at the 1988, 1992, and 1996 Summer Olympic Games.
At her first Olympics in 1988, Evans won three golds in the long-distance freestyle double (400 and 800) and the 400 metres individual medley. She also improved her own world record time in the 400 metres freestyle that stood for 18 years until Laure Manaudou lowered it in 2006. She set an Olympic record in the 800 metres freestyle that lasted for 12 years until Brooke Bennett hit the 8:20 barrier and lowered the time in Sydney 2000.
Evans continued to rule the long-distance swimming for women by defending her title in the 800 metres freestyle four years later in Barcelona. She led almost an entire race in the 400 but ended in a shocking defeat towards the final lap by Dagmar Hase.
When Atlanta hosted the Games in 1996, Evans was selected to carry the Olympic torch at the opening ceremony and handed it to Muhammad Ali to lit the cauldron. Unlike the previous two editions, she failed to attain a single medal in any of her races, finishing ninth in the heats of the 400 metres freestyle and sixth in the 800.
Shortly after her third Games, Evans retired from competitive swimming. She ended her Olympic career with a medal haul of five (four gold and one silver).
Evans served as the vice-chair and athletes director for the Los Angeles 2024 bid committee and traveled with the team to promote Los Angeles as a candidate city. With Los Angeles awarded the 2028 Summer Olympics, Evans currently works with the organizing committee as a chief athlete officer.
Olympic Results[]
Year | Event | Rank |
---|---|---|
1988 | Women's 400m freestyle | |
Women's 800m freestyle | ||
Women's 400m individual medley | ||
1992 | Women's 400m freestyle | |
Women's 800m freestyle | ||
1996 | Women's 400m freestyle | 17th |
Women's 800m freestyle | 6th |
1988[]
Discipline | Round | Time | |
---|---|---|---|
400 metres freestyle | Heats | 4:10.21 | |
A Final | 4:03.85 | WR | |
800 metres freestyle | Heats | 8:28.13 | |
Final | 8:20.20 | OR | |
400 metres individual medley | Heats | 4:43.04 | |
A Final | 4:37.76 |
1992[]
Discipline | Round | Time |
---|---|---|
400 metres freestyle | Heats | 4:09.38 |
A Final | 4:07.37 | |
800 metres freestyle | Heats | 8:32.69 |
Final | 8:25.52 |
1996[]
Discipline | Round | Time |
---|---|---|
400 metres freestyle | Heats | 4:13.60 |
Final | Withdrew | |
800 metres freestyle | Heats | 8:38.08 |
Final | 8:38.91 |