American · Canton, USA · Born 13 June 1990American swimmer who won 10 Olympic medals including 4 golds, specializing in freestyle events and relay races across four Olympic Games.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 13, 1990, this American swimmer began competitive swimming at age nine and quickly demonstrated exceptional talent in freestyle events. She attended the University of Georgia, where she trained under coach Jack Bauerle and became a dominant force in collegiate swimming while pursuing her degree. Her breakthrough came at the 2008 Beijing Olympics as an 18-year-old, where she earned her first Olympic medal as part of the 4×200-meter freestyle relay team. The 2012 London Olympics marked her peak performance period, capturing individual gold in the 200-meter freestyle while setting an Olympic record. She also contributed to American relay success, earning gold in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay and bronze in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay during those Games. Throughout her career, Schmitt established herself as one of America's most reliable relay swimmers, competing in four Olympic Games from 2008 to 2021. Her versatility across freestyle distances from 200 to 800 meters made her invaluable to Team USA's relay programs. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she added another gold medal in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, demonstrating remarkable longevity in elite competition. Her final Olympic appearance came at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Games, where she earned silver in the same relay event. Beyond her athletic achievements, Schmitt's courage in discussing her struggles with depression has significantly impacted how mental health is addressed in competitive swimming and broader elite sport. Her advocacy work and willingness to share personal challenges helped normalize conversations about mental health among athletes, contributing to policy changes within USA Swimming and other sporting organizations. Her combination of sustained excellence in the pool and meaningful contributions to athlete welfare has established her as both a swimming champion and an important voice for mental health awareness in sport.
Freestyle swimming and relay events, particularly dominant in 200m freestyle
How They Played
Powerful freestyle swimmer known for strong finishing kicks and versatility across multiple distances
Lasting Impact
One of America's most successful Olympic swimmers with multiple gold medals across three Olympic Games
American Athletes