JANET EVANS
4-Time Olympic Gold MedalistDespite her small size and unorthodox windmill stroke, she was a natural-born swimmer, completing laps by the age of two. In 1987, when she was 15 years old, Janet burst onto the international swimming scene, breaking world records in the 400m, 800m and the 1500m freestyle.
A year later at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Janet won Gold Medals in all three of her races: the 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle, and 400m individual medley, beating the powerful East German swimmers in the process.
In 1992 in Barcelona, Janet defended her gold in the 800m freestyle and added a silver in the 400m freestyle.
Janet broke a total of seven world records in three events (400m, 800m, and 1500m freestyle) during her career. Her 1500 meter world record stood for 20 years, her 800m world record stood for 21 years, and her 400m world record
stood for 19 years, making them some of the longest standing records in swimming. Janet was inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame in 2004 and the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2001. In 1989, she was awarded the
prestigious Sullivan Award as the United States’ top amateur athlete.
In 2010, Janet mounted a comeback in the sport with the goal of competing at the Olympic Trials in 2012 in the 400m and 800m freestyle.
Janet Evans is widely considered the greatest female distance swimmer in history holding unbroken swimming records for twenty years. Janet competed in three Olympic Games with her debut at the age of seventeen where she won three Gold Medals. By all descriptions she was a winner.
The early success was a wonderful surprise which kicked off a celebrated career. It also set expectations for the future. The societal pressures of winning and exceeding previous goals was strong. But she had some life changing moments that led her down a different path of becoming a Champion and making a difference in many aspects of her life including currently taking on one of her biggest challenges as the Vice Chair of the LA 2024 Bid Committee.
Janet’s goal is to create champions who influence other champions and whether competing in a sport or working in a traditional job, she will discuss how anyone can self-define winning by utilizing next-level performance enhancements. She will identify pathways to personal goal while not allowing outside influences to take you off track and you will learn the strategies champions use to staying focused, while being flexible and influencing others to support your goals.
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