Janet Evans Tries for 2012 Olympics
You might remember swimmer Janet Evans from the 1988 South Korea olympics. She was just 17 years old when she won three gold medals in Seoul, and it quickly became clear that she would be a U.S. record-breaker. The impressive swimmer competed in three Olympic games before hanging up her swimsuit at age 24 due to shoulder problems and the simple desire to take a break.
With her swimming career on hold, Janet has married and had two children. She has cultivated a career as an Olympic booster and motivational speaker, and balanced it with the full-time job of motherhood. Fifteen years have passed since her official retirement, but Janet is ready to jump back into the pool. At age 40, she is currently training to swim in the 2012 London Olympic Games.
And she’s really making up for lost time. For the past two years, Janet has trained 6 days per week, swimming 10 miles and weight training for 45 minutes each day. Her training partners are teenagers, just like Janet was for her first Games 24 years ago, but she is motivated, rather than intimidated by her younger peers.
Some have told her that her time is over, and that she should let the younger generation have a chance to compete in the Olympics, but Janet knows that she has another Games in her. And if she can keep up (or beat) the competition, then why not?
Janet will be competing in the 800-meter freestyle Olympic Trials next week and we wish her luck. She deserves it!
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