Thousands of athletes have had the privilege to represent the United States in Olympic competition throughout the years, but only a handful becomes a legend. One such legend is Janet Evans. Never before, and never since, has USA Swimming seen a swimmer like Evans. Easily America’s best female distance swimmer in history, she was a member of the 1988, 1992, and 1996 Olympic teams, a remarkable feat considering how much younger her competition got every year. In those three Olympics, Evans would take home five medals.

In 1988, Evans took gold in the 400m and 800m freestyle, as well as the 400m individual medley. In 1992, she would win her second gold in the 800m freestyle, and a silver in the 400m freestyle. In addition, Evans has won three World Championship gold medals, and a silver. Evans is also the winner of an extraordinary 45 U.S. National titles, as well as 21 international titles. To this day, she still holds six American swimming records in the 400m, 500m, 800m, 1000m, 1500m, and 1650m freestyle and World records in the 400m, 800m, and 1500m freestyle, making her the only female swimmer in history to hold three world records concurrently.