About
Amanda Beard was only 14 years old when she made her first Olympic appearance at the 1996 Atlanta Games and brought home three Olympic medals for Team USA. Iconic images of her holding a teddy bear on the podium made her America’s sweetheart.
Along with her Olympic success, Amanda attended the University of Arizona where she captured an individual NCAA National Championship in 2001. In 2003 she broke the world record in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Amanda gained popularity with her swimming expertise, but she is also well known for her other endeavors as a celebrity. Amanda spends much of her time doing appearances for her Olympic Sponsors, speaking engagements for Breast Cancer awareness and talking with young swimmers throughout the United States about overcoming obstacles and setting high goals.
The nation has followed Amanda’s transition both in and out of the pool. Now an active wife and mother, Amanda surprised the nation when she launched her comeback by making the US National Team and proving that she was indeed a contender for her 5th Olympic Games in 2012.
