Claire Donahue

Claire Donahue

Claire Donahue was born Jan. 12, 1989 to parents, Christopher and Connie in Dallas, Texas. The family of six–Donahue has one sister (Audrey) and two brothers (Zack and Dean)–moved to Lenoir City, Tenn. soon after the Olympic swimmer was born. Donahue joined the Blount Area Swim Team (BLAST) as a young girl. Throughout her teenage years, Donahue claimed multiple club records in everything from the 100 free to the 1650 free to the 200 IM to the 100 fly. However, the 100 fly would become Donahue’s best event. Donahue is an active volunteer with Evergreen Life Services, an organization that helps adults with developmental disabilities.

College – Western Kentucky

Donahue chose to attend Western Kentucky University to further her swimming career. Training for coach Bruce Marchionda was a smart choice for Donahue. At the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials she was 32nd in the 100 fly and 53rd in the 100 fly. During her junior year of college, she took 4th in the 100 fly at the NCAA Division 1 championships with a 52.01. During her senior year of college, she was 2nd in the 100 fly at the 2011 NCAA’s with a time of 51.68.

National and international swimming

2011 was a good year for Donahue. At the 2011 ConocoPhillips National Championships she was 2nd in the 100 meter fly with a time of 58.05. This performance earned her a spot on the United States’ 2011 Pan American Games team. At those Pan Ams in Guadalajara, Mexico Donahue took home golds in the 100 fly and and part of the 400 medley relay.

Donahue furthered her experience on the international level at the 2012 Short Course World Championships in Istanbul where she earned a bronze medal as part of the United States’ 400 medley relay. She was also fifth in the 100 fly and sixth in the 50 fly in Istanbul.

2012 London Olympics

Donahue became an Olympian in 2012 by finishing secondnd in the 100 fly at the US Olympic Trials with a time of 57.57. At the London Olympic Games, Donahue became a gold medalist as part of the United States’ 400 medley relay. She was also seventh in the 100 fly with a personal best time of 57.42.

2013 World Championships

The butterfly specialist flew into 2013 with a second place finish in the 100 meter fly at the 2013 Phillips 66 National Championships with a time of 58.32. Thanks to this runner-up finish, she earned a spot on the United States’ 2013 World Championships Team. At Worlds in Barcelona, Donahue was 8th in the 100 fly with a time of 58.30. She is now a member of the 2013-2014 US National Team.

2014 Pan Pacific Championships

Donahue earned a spot on the 2014 Pan Pacific Team after finishing second at the U.S. Nationals, where she finished in the top eight of the 100-meter fly.

2015

In 2015 Donahue is ranked within the top-50 worldwide.

Donahue is a TYR Athlete.

Originally developed by Christina Wright.