Natalie Coughlin: First to break minute barrier
 Natalie Coughlin on her way to gold in the women's 100m backstroke final at the 2002 Pan Pacs.AFP/File |  |
Rising American star Natalie Coughlin swam into the record books in 2002 when she became the first woman to go under a minute in the 100 metres backstroke, and there are strong signs she will be one of the stars of the 2004 Athens Olympics.
The Californian clocked 59.58 seconds at the US nationals and became the first woman since Tracey Caulkins in 1978 to win five domestic titles at one championship, showing her great all-round talent by also claiming gold in freestyle and butterfly races.
Her recent exploits won her the accolade of female swimmer of the year in 2002, but 2003 was, by her standards, a year to forget.
At the world championships at Barcelona that year, she suffered a bout of flu. And though she bravely raced on despite a high fever, she failed to get past the heats of any individual event.
She did help the US to a 4x100m freestyle gold and 4x100m medley silver, although the fever-induced flop takes the weight from her shoulders at Athens 2004.
Her dream season in 2002 had many highlights, but it was at the Pan Pacific championships in Japan that the name Coughlin was suddenly on everyone's lips.
She won six medals (four gold) to tie Australian megastar Ian Thorpe as the most decorated swimmer, and posted the second fastest time ever in the 100m freestyle, touching home in a mythical 53.99 secs.
A top student, she was already a national star at high school, competing for Catholic school Carondelet and putting the California institute on the international map as she left all competition in her wake.
Following graduation in 2000, she continued to rewrite the American record books for the University of California and can now claim 27 domestic marks to go along with her five world records, set in backstroke, individual medley and butterfly events.
Her one major title to date was at the world championships in 2001 when she won the 100m backstroke in Japan, coming out on top after a wonderful duel with Romania's Diana Iuliana Mocanu.
She excels at her studies, majors in psychology and loves to cook.
Her future opposition will be hoping she fails to dominate upcoming major events, but she looks set to continue her rise to the top of the sport.
Natalie Coughlin
>Date of birth: August 23 1982
>Place of birth: Concord (United States)
>Height: 170cm
>Performances
World Championships : 50m backstroke: 3rd (2001), 100m backstroke: 1st (2001), 4x100m freestyle: 1st (2003), 4x100m medley relay: 2nd (2001, 2003)
Pan Pacifics : 100m freestyle: 1st (2002), 100m backstroke: 1st (2002), 100m butterfly: 1st (2002), 4x200m freestyle relay: 1st (2002), 4x100m freestyle relay: 2nd (2002), 4x100m medley relay: 2nd (2002)
World Records : 5 (100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, individual medley)
Other Honours : Swimming World's Female swimmer of the year (2002)
