Mary T. Meagher Biography

1964-

American swimmer

Olympic and championship swimmer Mary T. Meagher (pronounced MAW-her), known as

Mary T. Meagher

"Madame Butterfly," began setting world records in the 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly swim as a young teen. Thwarted in her prime by the United States' 1980 Olympics boycott, Meagher one year later set world records in the butterfly that stood for nearly two decades. After competing in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, she retired from swimming with twenty-two U.S. championships, two world championships, and three Olympic gold medals. Her record in the 100-meter butterfly remained unbroken until 1999, when five-time Olympic gold medalist Jenny Thompson bested it with a swim of 57.88—.05 second ahead of Meagher's. Her world record in the 200-meter butterfly stood until 2000, when Australian champion swimmer Susan O'Neill broke it with a time of 2:05.81—.15 second ahead of Meagher's. O'Neill said she had tried for six years to break Meagher's record; she called doing so "one of the greatest moments of my life."

CONTACT INFORMATION

Address: Mary Plant, 404 Vanderwall, Peachtree City, GA 30269.