Amy Van Dyken

     Amy Van Dyken was born February 17, 1973.  She is an amazing swimmer, and has overcome some hardships to get there.  Amy is an asthmatic, and had shoulder and arm problems before the 2000  Games.

     In the 1996 Olympics she won four gold medals in the individual 50m freestyle, 100m butterfly, the U.S. 4x100 freestyle, and the 4x50 medley.

     In 1998 she had shoulder surgery and figured her swimming career was over.  Doctors had to repair cartilage that held her right shoulder in place.  Also, seven months before this surgery on her arm she had scar tissue cleaned from a bone spur.

     She said,” I’m surprised I can even put on a swimsuit, let alone train and try to make the Olympic team.  It’s been such a crazy road.  If I make this team it’s going to mean more than '96.  Hopefully, they’ll see me at the trials swimming really well,  If they don’t, at least I made it there.  The only thing I wanted to get out of it is to have a love of the sport.  I’ve gotten a love of swimming back, so even if I lose, I win.”  Amy ended up making the team.

     At the 2000 Games Amy Van Dyken won two golds, and finished fourth in 50m freestyle.  After this she called it a career.  She was done swimming.

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