Tracy Caulkins

By the 1980 Summer Olympics, which were held in Moscow, U.S.S.R., Caulkins expected to dominate because she easily made the U.S. team. But the United States decided to boycott the games because of the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Though denied a chance at Olympic gold, Caulkins still swam at the National Outdoor Championships, winning four gold medals and one silver, and was named American Swimmer of the Year.

Despite her Olympic disappointment, Caulkins continued to pile up honors in swimming. In 1981, she became the only swimmer in U.S. history to win the greatest number of titles when she bested the records set by Ann Curtis Cuneo. In January at the U.S. Swimming International, she won 200- and 400-meter individual medleys, 100-meter breaststroke, and 100-meter backstroke, setting world records. She also finished second in the 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly, and was part of three winning women's relays. At this meet, she swam against the best swimmers in the world, many of whom competed in the 1980 Olympics, and more than held her own. She also competed in the National Short Course, winning the 200-meter backstroke, setting a national record, and winning three other events in similar fashion.