Amy Van Dyken
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Amy Van Dyken was the top medalist during the games in 1996. She has won four medals in swimming: 4x100 Medley Relay, 4x100 Freestyle Relay, 50m Freestyle, and the 100m Butterfly. She became the first American female to win four gold medals in the same Olympic game. Her first medal was when she swam the second leg, and two days later, she beat China's Liu Limin by a hundredth of a second. Later she swam the freestyle relay and earned the fantastic time of 4.02.88. Her last medal was in the 50m freestyle where she won with the time of 24.87. She earned the female athlete and female swimmer of the year award.
“My biggest memory of Atlanta is the 50m freestyle, my last race at those Games. I remember saying to myself: ‘You know what? You’ve already got three golds and this is your best event. So go out there and have fun.’ I was swimming next to the world record holder and world champion, and the last thing that went through my mind was: ‘This is yours! Go and get it!’. When I touched the wall I exploded with joy.” -Amy Van Dyken
“My biggest memory of Atlanta is the 50m freestyle, my last race at those Games. I remember saying to myself: ‘You know what? You’ve already got three golds and this is your best event. So go out there and have fun.’ I was swimming next to the world record holder and world champion, and the last thing that went through my mind was: ‘This is yours! Go and get it!’. When I touched the wall I exploded with joy.” -Amy Van Dyken