Amanda Beard

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Amanda Beard Falls Short of Her Fifth Olympic Team

Full Name:	Amanda Beard
Born:	October 29th, 1981
	Newport Beach, California
Nationality:	American
Status:	Retired

Amanda Beard Born on October 29, 1981 in Irvine, California, American Olympic swimming champion Amanda Beard burst onto the international swimming scene at the young age of 13 at the 1995 Pan Pacific Championships in Atlanta, Georgia. She was a member of the Irvine Novaquatics swim team. At the 1995 Pan Pacs, Beard earned a silver medal as the breaststroker on the 400 medley relay and two bronzes in the 100 breast and 200 breast, respectively. She made her Olympic debut at the 1996 Atlanta Games where she raced to a gold medal as part of the 400 medley relay and two silver medals in the 100 breast and 200 breast as well. Considering her young age--she was the second-youngest swimmer in American history to win an Olympic medal--it is not surprising that her beloved teddy bear accompanied the breathtaking breaststroker throughout these high pressure meets. Beard's bear watched her race from behind the starting blocks, waited for her next to the warm-down pool, and even joined her on the medal stand. She was soon to become a fixture on the Olympic scene, making the 2000 Olympic team and earning a bronze in the 200 breast at the Sydney Games. As Beard …

Amanda Beard Falls Short of Her Fifth Olympic Team

Amanda Beard finishes fifth in the 200 Breaststroke in Omaha

Day 6 Finals: Michael vs. Ryan in 200 IM (Recap)

Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps squared-off in a tie-breaker matchup in the men’s 200 IM on night 6 (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Amanda Beard is keeping it in perspective

Amanda Beard had the 5th fastest 200 breast in prelims with a 2:27.07.

Dana Vollmer Wins Women’s 100 Fly Final; Coughlin 7th

Last summer, when Tim Binning took this picture, these two were just great young swimmers. Fast forward a year, and it’s game-on (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Cordes, Wanland Win Breaststrokes to Close Swimvitational

Ashley Wanland swam a season-best to win the women’s 100 breaststroke. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Kevin Cordes Swims Best Time in 100 Breast Prelims in Omaha

Arizona’s Kevin Cordes is beginning his run toward a possible Olympic spot. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Geer Goes Sub-55; Beard DQ’ed at Swimvitational

Amanda Beard had a moment of deja vu in the pool in Omaha. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Omaha Pool Opens with Swimvitational Day 1 Prelims

The 2012 Olympic Trials Pool in Omaha (Thanks to Ryan Theil)

News to Know: SSN for Thursday, June 7th

The Missile is flying under the radar and the French are just flying. (Photo Credit © Tim Binning, TheSwimPictures.com)

2012 Omaha Swimvitational – Tucson Ford Headlines

Olympic legend Amanda Beard among stars of Omaha Swimvitational

The Calamity of the Women’s 200 IM at Trials; Phelps-Lochte III

“200 IM Olympic Trials Preview: Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte will thrill and chill the Omaha crowd.” (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Dave and (mostly) Gary Present: Who’s Faster? Vol. 1 of…

Have you ever wondered if a E.T. was/is faster than Kitajima? Neither did anybody else, but come embrace absurdity for 175 words.

Picks: Hansen’s Return a Savior for American 100 Breaststroke

But which young swimmers have the ability to challenge him? (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Agent: Beard a Best-Seller

(Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

The Callout: April 2, 2012

Davis Wuolle calls out Omega Timing and Nathan Adrian … maybe …