When Jenny Thompson finished her swimming career following the 2004 Olympic Games, she was the most decorated U.S. Olympian. She had earned a total of 12 medals, eight of them gold. From 1992-2004, she competed on four Olympic teams. She also set 15 world records, most of which were in individual events.
In 1999, she broke one of swimming’s most revered records: Mary T. Meagher’s 18-year-old World Record in the 100m butterfly. In total, she set 15 World Records – six long course in the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly with four World Records on relays. She set nine in short course meters; all individual freestyle, butterfly and individual medley events.
Thompson swam for Mike Parratto at Seacoast Swimming Association in Dover, New Hampshire, from 1985-1991. She then swam for Richard Quick at Stanford University where she accrued 19 individual and relay NCAA National titles. When not at the Stanford, she swam for John Collins at Badger Swim Club. She competed in her last Olympic Games at the age of 31 in 2004, collectingsilver medals in the 4x100m freestyle relay and 4x100m medley relay.
She was named the World Swimmer of the Year in 1998. The Jenny Thompson Outdoor Pool - one of the premier long course facilities in New England - is named in her honor in Dover.