Jenny Thompson
Team USASwimming

Jenny Thompson

Four-time Olympian (1992, 1996, 2000, 2004); 12-time Olympic medalist (8 golds, 3 silvers, 1 bronze) Barcelona 1992, gold (4x100-meter freestyle, 4x100 medley), silver (100 freestyle) Atlanta 1996, gold (4x100 freestyle, 4x200 freestyle, 4x100 medley) Sydney 2000, gold (4x100 freestyle, 4x200 freestyle, 4x100 medley), bronze (100 freestyle) Athens 2004, silver (4x100 freestyle, 4x100 medley)

    • 8

      GOLD

    • 3

      SILVER

    • 1

      BRONZE

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    Athlete Bio

    Jenny Thompson

    Hometown

    Dover, NH

    Education

    Dover High School (Dover, N.H.) Stanford University; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

    Daughter of Margrid Thompson...Has three siblings...Honed her swimming abilities as a member of the Seacoast Swimming Association...Was the youngest U.S. swimmer to win a gold medal at age 14 during the Olympic Games Barcelona 1992...Attended Stanford University on scholarship and majored in human biology...Was a 15-time world record holder...Most decorated U.S. Olympic female swimmer in history...Graduated from Columbia University’s College and Physicians and Surgeons...Practices medicine as a physician and specializes as a pediatric anesthesiologist.

    With her eight gold medals and 12 overall medals, Jenny Thompson has won more Olympic medals than any other female swimmer in Olympic history. Born in Danvers, Massachusetts, to a single mother, Thompson earned a scholarship to Stanford University. She went on to compete at four Olympic Games, winning each of her eight gold medals in relay events. One of her biggest accomplishments came in 1999, when Thomson broke the world record in the 100-meter butterfly and broke a nearly 20-year record previously held by her, idol Mary T. Meagher. She made the 2004 U.S. Olympic Swim Team while studying as a medical student. Thompson won two silver medals at the Athens 2004 Games in the 4x100 freestyle and medley relays and retired afterwards. She continues to practice as a physician, specializing as a pediatric anesthesiologist. A recreation center in Dover, New Hampshire, bears her name and Thompson continues to help at an annual camp held there.

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