Birthday: August 23, 1982
Hometown: Emeryville, California

Get to Know Her: She won a gold, two silvers, and three bronze medals at the Beijing Olympics—making her the second-most decorated athlete for the U.S. so far; she's equally skilled on top of the water as a surfer.

Golden Girl: Natalie is the first female to ever win back-to-back gold medals in the 100m backstroke.

Channeling Yogi Berra: "It's really no different than any other meet, other than it's just terrifying in some ways."—Associated Press

Natalie Coughlin

Natalie Coughlin

Natalie Coughlin

Natalie Coughlin

Natalie Coughlin

Natalie Coughlin

Natalie Coughlin