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Natalie COUGHLIN
Sport Swimming
NOC United States   
GenderWomen
Born23 Aug 1982 in Vallejo, CA, USA
Height1.73 m
 Human Interest 
Further Personal Information
Residence
United States
Higher education
Psychology - University of California, Berkeley : United States
General Interest
Hobbies
Cooking, surfing, photography, running, pilates, gardening. (Facebook page, 11 Dec 2018)
Injuries
After the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens an ankle injury sidelined her for a few months. She was able to train and compete again by 2005. (natalie-coughlin.com, 06 Dec 2007)

She suffered from a fever that affected her performance at the 2003 World Championships in Barcelona, Spain. (bcn2013.com, 02 Jul 2013)

She was diagnosed with a torn labrum muscle in her left shoulder in March 1999. She underwent months of treatment to heal the injury, opting to undertake physical therapy instead of surgery. (usatoday.com, 2004)
Famous relatives
Her younger sister Megan swam for the University of California, Davis in the United States of America. Her husband Ethan Hall has worked as a swim coach. (espn.go.com, 10 Jul 2015; USA Swimming, 19 Jul 2012; SFGate.com, 06 Nov 2011)
Sport Specific Information
Why this sport?
She joined the swim team to make friends. "I was always better in the pool than I was on land. As a kid, I was kind of chubby and not co-ordinated. I did gymnastics and was very competitive and liked to win, and just wasn't as good at gymnastics as I was in the pool. My parents started me on swimming lessons when I was an infant and when we moved towns, to meet new kids I joined the local swim team."
General Interest
Awards and honours
In 2020 she was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. (digitaljournal.com, 20 Feb 2020; swimmingworldmagazine.com, 04 Oct 2021)

In 2019 she was inducted into the Pac-12 Conference Hall of Honor, and in 2014 she was inducted into the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame, for her collegiate swimming achievements. (mercurynews.com, 07 Mar 2019)

She was named 2004 and 2008 Athlete of the Year at USA Swimming's Golden Goggle Awards, and was part of women's relay teams that won Golden Goggles Relay Performance of the Year awards in 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011 and 2013. (digitaljournal.com, 25 Feb 2019)

During her collegiate career at University of California, Berkeley, she was named NCAA Swimmer of the Year in 2001, 2002 and 2003, as well as being named Pac-10 Conference Swimmer of the Year in the same three years. She was also named Sports Illustrated's Female Collegiate Athlete of the Year in 2004. (mercurynews.com, 07 Mar 2019; USA Swimming, 31 Jan 2007)

In 2002 she was named Female Swimmer of the Year by US Swimming and Swimming World Magazine. (US Swimming, 11 Mar 2004)
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?
She took her first swimming lesson at age 10 months. She entered her first competition at age six.
International Debut
Year
1999
Competing for
United States
Tournament
Pan Pacific Championships
Location
Australia
Further Personal Information
Languages
English
General Interest
Sporting philosophy / motto
"Life's ups and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine your values and goals. Think of using all obstacles as stepping stones to build the life you want." (Facebook page, 11 Dec 2018)
Other information
RETURN TO COMPETITIVE SWIMMING
After missing the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and giving birth to her daughter Zennie in 2018, she returned to competitive swimming by signing with DC Trident in the International Swimming League [ISL] in June 2019. "Many people assumed that I was retired, but I very purposefully never retired. I knew swimming was still a big part of my life. At the time, the ISL didn't exist, but as it became a thing, I was paying attention to it. I never really considered being a part of it until Kaitlin [Sandeno] asked me. I had just had a baby a few months before. It is something that is really exciting for me. It is something to keep me in the swimming world." (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 11 Jun 2019; Instagram profile, 18 Oct 2018)

OTHER ROLES
She has served as a member of the board of directors at USA Swimming, as well as an athlete advisory council representative at the United States Olympic Committee [USOC]. (LinkedIn profile, 10 Oct 2018)

COOKBOOK PUBLICATION
She published her first cookbook named 'Cook to Thrive: Recipes to Fuel Body and Soul' in 2019. "With a cookbook, I can share that love of food and share some stories from my career. Yes, I'm an Olympic athlete, but I like to indulge from time to time, which is the whole point of the cookbook - balance." (teamusa.org, 28 May 2020; houstonchronicle.com, 04 Jun 2019)

WINERY
She is the co-founder of Gaderian Wines, a winery in Napa, CA, United States of America. "I started a winery with a friend and wine-maker. I just loved the process of it. I loved the entire ritual of drinking wine, similar to coffee, just like I love the ritual of making my coffee every morning, I love having a glass of wine with dinner, and so I saw it as something I could do in moderation while training. The word 'gaderian' is an old English word for gather. The idea is that you gather around the table to enjoy food and wine, so that is the inspiration for the name." (teamusa.org, 28 May 2020; Instagram profile, 22 Nov 2018; foodandwine.com, 19 Dec 2017; digitaljournal.com, 17 Jan 2018; teamusa.org, 18 Oct 2018; si.com, 11 Dec 2020)
Further Personal Information
Family
Husband Ethan Hall, daughter Zennie Mae [2018], son Ozzie [2020]
General Interest
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning a gold medal in the 100m backstroke at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. (Facebook page, 11 Dec 2018)
Hero / Idol
US chef Alice Waters. (Facebook page, 11 Dec 2018)
Most influential person in career
Coach Teri McKeever. (digitaljournal.com, 25 Feb 2019)
Milestones
She was the first female athlete in Olympic history to win back-to-back 100m backstroke titles [2004 and 2008]. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, she became the first US female athlete to win six medals at a single Games. She was also the first female swimmer to swim the 100m backstroke in under one minute. (nataliecoughlin.com, 2017; SportsDeskOnline, 11 Dec 2018; cbc.ca, 17 Aug 2008)
Further Personal Information
Occupation
Athlete, Business Owner

 Competition Highlights
Olympic Games
Rank Year Venue Event Result
3 2012 London, ENG 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay  
3 2008 Beijing, CHN 100m Freestyle 53.39
1 2008 Beijing, CHN 100m Backstroke 58.96
3 2008 Beijing, CHN 200m Individual Medley 2:10.34
2 2008 Beijing, CHN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:34.33
2 2008 Beijing, CHN 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:53.30
3 2008 Beijing, CHN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:46.33
2 2004 Athens, GRE 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:59.12
1 2004 Athens, GRE 100m Backstroke 1:00.37
3 2004 Athens, GRE 100m Freestyle 54.40 
1 2004 Athens, GRE 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:53.42
2 2004 Athens, GRE 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:36.39
World Championships
Rank Year Venue Event Result
Semifinal 2013 Barcelona, ESP 50m Freestyle 25.02
1 2013 Barcelona, ESP 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:32.31
3 2011 Shanghai, CHN 100m Backstroke 59.15
8 2011 Shanghai, CHN 100m Freestyle 54.22
2 2011 Shanghai, CHN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:34.47
1 2011 Shanghai, CHN 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:52.36
8 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 50m Freestyle 25.31
2 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 4 x 100m Medley Relay  
3 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 100m Butterfly 57.34
1 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 100m Backstroke 59.44
4 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 100m Freestyle 53.87
1 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:50.09
2 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:35.68
3 2005 Montreal, CAN 100m Backstroke 1:00.88
2 2005 Montreal, CAN 100m Freestyle 54.74 
6 2005 Montreal, CAN 50m Butterfly 26.63 
1 2005 Montreal, CAN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:53.70
3 2005 Montreal, CAN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:38.31
2 2005 Montreal, CAN 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:59.92
8 2003 Barcelona, ESP 100m Butterfly 59.63
Heats 2003 Barcelona, ESP 100m Freestyle 56.98
Heats 2003 Barcelona, ESP 100m Backstroke 1:03.18
Heats 2003 Barcelona, ESP 200m Backstroke  DNS
1 2003 Barcelona, ESP 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:38.09
2 2003 Barcelona, ESP 4 x 100m Medley Relay 4:00.83
3 2001 Fukuoka, JPN 50m Backstroke 28.54
1 2001 Fukuoka, JPN 100m Backstroke 1:00.37
4 2001 Fukuoka, JPN 50m Butterfly 26.70
7 2001 Fukuoka, JPN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay  DSQ
2 2001 Fukuoka, JPN 4 x 100m Medley Relay 4:01.81
World Championships Short Course
Rank Year Venue Event Result
Heats 2014 Doha, QAT 50m Breaststroke 31.16
2 2014 Doha, QAT 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:27.70
2 2014 Doha, QAT 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:34.61
2 2014 Doha, QAT 4 x 50m Medley Relay 1:44.92
1 2014 Doha, QAT 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay  
4 2014 Doha, QAT 4 x 50m Medley Relay  
3 2010 Dubai, UAE 100m Freestyle 52.25
1 2010 Dubai, UAE 100m Backstroke 56.08
2 2010 Dubai, UAE 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:29.34
2 2010 Dubai, UAE 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:48.36
World Cup Short Course
Rank Year Venue Event Result
28 2010   Overall  
3 2010 Singapore, SGP 100m Butterfly 58.09
1 2010 Singapore, SGP 100m Backstroke 57.78
3 2010 Singapore, SGP 100m Individual Medley 1:01.29
3 2010 Tokyo, JPN 100m Butterfly 56.95
3 2010 Tokyo, JPN 100m Backstroke 57.92
1 2007 Belo Horizonte, BRA 100m Butterfly 56.39
1 2007 Belo Horizonte, BRA 100m Backstroke 59.88
1 2007 Belo Horizonte, BRA 100m Individual Medley 59.81
1 2007 Durban, RSA 100m Butterfly 56.60
1 2007 Durban, RSA 100m Backstroke 57.21
1 2007 Durban, RSA 100m Individual Medley 1:00.59
1 2007 Singapore, SGP 100m Butterfly 56.35
2 2007 Singapore, SGP 50m Freestyle 24.66
1 2007 Singapore, SGP 100m Backstroke 56.51 WR
1 2007 Singapore, SGP 100m Individual Medley 59.12
1 2005/2006 Sydney, NSW, AUS 100m Butterfly 57.39
1 2005/2006 Sydney, NSW, AUS 100m Backstroke 57.56
1 2005/2006 Sydney, NSW, AUS 100m Individual Medley 1:00.60
1 2004/2005 Belo Horizonte, BRA 100m Butterfly 58.71
3 2004/2005 Belo Horizonte, BRA 50m Backstroke 28.07
2 2004/2005 Belo Horizonte, BRA 100m Freestyle 53.63
2 2004/2005 Belo Horizonte, BRA 100m Backstroke 58.74
1 2004/2005 Belo Horizonte, BRA 100m Individual Medley 1:01.21
1 2002/2003 New York, NY, USA 100m Butterfly 56.34
1 2002/2003 New York, NY, USA 50m Backstroke 27.08
1 2002/2003 New York, NY, USA 200m Backstroke 2:05.76
1 2002/2003 New York, NY, USA 100m Backstroke 56.71
1 2002/2003 New York, NY, USA 100m Individual Medley 58.80
1 2001/2002 New York, NY, USA 50m Backstroke 27.29
1 2001/2002 New York, NY, USA 200m Backstroke 2:03.62
2 2001/2002 New York, NY, USA 100m Butterfly 57.44
1 2001/2002 New York, NY, USA 100m Backstroke 57.08
1 2001/2002 New York, NY, USA 50m Butterfly 25.83
1 2001 New York, NY, USA 100m Backstroke 57.08
1 2001 New York, NY, USA 50m Butterfly 25.83
2 2001 New York, NY, USA 100m Butterfly 57.44
1 2001 New York, NY, USA 200m Backstroke 2:03.62
1 2001 New York, NY, USA 50m Backstroke 27.29