Amanda Beard
Amanda Beard
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Amanda Beard is a former American competitive swimmer who was born on October 29, 1982, in Sacramento, California.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: October 29, 1982 (age 40)
Still active in public life and swimming
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Nationality: American
Profession: Competitive Swimmer (retired), Author, Model, Television Personality
Early Life and Background
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Amanda Beard grew up in Sacramento, California. Her mother, Linda, was a swim coach at her local high school, which encouraged Amanda to learn how to swim at the age of three. She quickly discovered her talent for swimming and began competing locally.
At the age of 11, Beard moved to Tucson, Arizona with her family, where she joined the Catalina Foothills High School team under the guidance of coach Paul Kent. Her dedication and hard work earned her a spot on the USA Swimming national team in 1998.
Major Accomplishments
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Beard's impressive swimming career spanned over two decades, during which she won numerous awards and accolades. Some of her notable achievements include:
Olympic Champion: Beard won gold medals in the 4x100m medley relay at both the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
World Champion: She secured multiple world championship titles, including a gold medal in the 200m individual medley in 1999.
World Records Holder: Beard held multiple world records throughout her career, with some still standing today.Notable Works or Actions
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In addition to her illustrious swimming career, Beard has also pursued various other interests and endeavors:
Author: She published a memoir, _In the Water They Can't See You Cry_, in 2004.
Model: Beard appeared on the cover of Playboy magazine in March 2007, sparking controversy about her decision to pose nude.
Television Personality: She participated in the reality TV show The Celebrity Apprentice (Season 11) and later became a television commentator for swimming events.
Impact and Legacy
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Amanda Beard's impact on the world of competitive swimming is immense. Her incredible talent, work ethic, and dedication inspired countless young athletes to pursue their passion for swimming. Her legacy extends beyond the pool as well:
Philanthropy: Beard supports various charitable organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Mental Health Awareness: She has spoken publicly about her struggles with anxiety and depression, helping to reduce stigma around mental health issues.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Amanda Beard is widely quoted and remembered for her remarkable achievements in competitive swimming. Her unwavering commitment to excellence, combined with her willingness to speak out on important social issues, have made her a respected figure both in and outside the world of sports.
Her ability to balance a demanding athletic career with other pursuits has also earned her admiration from fans and fellow athletes alike. As a result, Beard's thoughts on perseverance, hard work, and self-acceptance continue to inspire people around the globe.
Quotes by Amanda Beard
People wanted to be friends with me for not the right reasons. They’d introduce me to somebody else as the Olympian or the swimmer. I didn’t want to stand out. I wanted to blend in.
The swimming community is really conservative. I don’t know why, because we’re in no clothing whatsoever.
When people say to me, ‘You’re like the Anna Kournikova who wins,’ I definitely take it as a compliment, because she’s quite gorgeous.
In swimming, everyone calls me grandma, because I’m the oldest there. Then with my friends, I’m the youngest and I’m the baby. It’s definitely bizarre.
I always tell people, I’m a better swimmer because I’m a mom and a better mom because I’m swimmer.
I'd go to swim practice, put my face in the water, and I didn't have to talk to anybody. Swimming was like my escape, but it was also like this huge prison because I felt like I had to swim up to people's standards.
I'm glad that everyone woke up and got out of bed on a Sunday morning, that's awesome.
Strong biceps and triceps help me slice through the water's resistance and swim more efficiently,
I concentrate on preparing to swim my race and let the other swimmers think about me, not me about them.