Amanda Beard

About Amanda Beard

Amanda Beard is an American model, swimmer, and seven-time Olympic medalist (2 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze.)

Beard began her swimming career at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. At the age of 14, Beard won one gold medal and two silver, in the process becoming the second youngest Olympic medalist in American swimming history. She was frequently photographed holding her teddy bear, even on the medal stand.

At the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Beard took home a bronze medal in the 200m breaststroke.

While attending the University of Arizona, Beard won an individual NCAA Division I championship in 2001. In 2003 she set the American record in the 200m breaststroke.

At the 2004 US Olympic trials Beard set the world record in the 200m breaststroke. At the Athens Olympics Beard won one gold medal and two silvers.

Beard qualified for her fourth straight Olympics in 2008, and was named co-captain of the US Olympic women's swimming team with Dana Torres and Natalie Coughlin. She did not win any medals.

Despite coming out of retirement in 2010, Beard did not qualify for the 2012 Olympic team after finishing fifth at the Swimming Trials in the 200m breaststroke.

Beard's modeling career includes appearances in FHM magazine, the 2006 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, and the July 2007 edition of Playboy. In November 2007 Beard appeared in a GoDaddy commercial titled "Shock" where Beard "flashed" the seven Olympic medals she won.

In 2008 she participated in an anti-fur campaign for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). She was photographed nude but covering her breasts and not exposing her nipples.

Beard appeared in a 2014 episode of Celebrity Wife Swap where she switched places with Heidi Montag.

While attending the University of Arizona Beard began a struggle with bulimia nervosa brought on by the stress of being frequently photographed in a swimsuit and seeing the process of photo-shopping her pictures.

In 2012 Beard released her autobiograpghy titled In the Water They Can't See You Cry: A Memoir.

Appeared in Playboy Magazine July 2007