Amanda Beard, U.S. Olympic swimmer and model, wowed audiences when she swam in her first Olympic competition at just 14 years old. Amanda is only the second youngest Olympic medalist in the sport’s U.S. history, and his since gone on to compete in four consecutive Olympic games. Her innocence and naïveté captured the attention of audiences and the media alike. Earlier in her swimming career she was pictured clutching her teddy bear, taking it with her wherever she went, including on the medals stand. She currently holds over eight U.S. championship titles, and her athletic ability was recognized in 2003 when she was ranked as the world’s number one swimmer in the breaststroke category.
Amanda grew up in Irvine, California where she learned how to swim very early on in her life. Her parents are Dan and Gayle Beard, and her father played basketball at Washington State University. She also has two sisters, Leah and Taryn, who also swim. An avid animal lover and widely-known Peta activist, Amanda has two cats, one dog, two rabbits and four birds.
While still a student at Irvine High School, she made her first Olympic appearance at the 1996 Atlanta Games. She won silver medals in the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststrokes, and gold in the medley relay. After graduating high school in 1999, she attended Arizona State University. She turned professional in 2001, giving up her last two years of college eligibility.
Her next Olympic appearance was at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, where she won a Bronze medal in the 200-meter breaststroke. At the 2003 World Aquatics Championships, Amanda brought home a Silver medal in the 400-meter, a Gold medal in the 200-meter breaststroke, and another Silver medal in the 100-meter breaststroke. While there, she tied the world record in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Amanda is also a two-time Pan Pacific Championships competitor, and in 2002 she swept both breastrokes and captured gold in the 100 and 200-meter. She also won silver for the 400-meter relay in both 2002 and 1995. During the Pan Pacific Championships in 1995 she earned bronze medals for the 100 and 200-meter breaststroke.
Outside of the pool, Amanda is also a successful model and TV correspondent. She’s been a guest commentator on Fox News network’s Best Damn Sports Show Period, where she covered major sporting events. She has also graced the covers of FHM and Playboy, and was notably featured in the popular Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.
An avid spokesperson for Defenders of Wildlife, she helps educate younger kids about respecting the environment. She has also supported “Carly’s Crossing,” an open water swim in Buffalo, N.Y. that raises money for pediatric cancer research. Amanda can also be found touring the U.S. and speaking on a variety of women’s issues. Amanda educates young swimmers about the importance of setting high goals and overcoming obstacles in the pool and in life. A passionate activist for Peta, Amanda courageously posed nude for the non-profit’s “Be Comfortable In Your Own Skin: Don’t Wear Fur” campaign.
Amanda’s hobbies outside of the pool include snowboarding, surfing, dirt biking, shopping, and film. Her favorite TV show is the Best Damn Sports Show, while her favorite movie is “Young Guns.” She also likes the Greatful Dead and Neil Diamond.
Amanda married photographer Sacha Brown on May 1st, 2009 and welcomed baby boy Blaise Ray Brown to their family on September 15, 2009.
A dedicated mother, athlete, and positive role model, Amanda remains influential in every aspect of her life.
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