Janet Evans took to the water when she was a year old, and by the time she was 17 she had set three world records. Often considered too small for competition, Evans made up for her lack of size with hard work and determination and in 1988 won three Olympic gold medals. In 1992 she returned to the Olympics, winning another gold and a silver medal to become only the second American woman to win four Olympic gold medals. Despite her record-breaking success, Evans has remained humble and tries to be "Just Janet," a young woman who loves to swim.

Janet Evans was born August 28, 1971, in Fullerton, California. She is the youngest of three children, and has two older brothers, David and John. Her dad, Paul, is a veterinarian, and her mom, Barbara, is her unofficial coach. While growing up, it was her mom who made sure Evans ate right, went...