Margaret Hoelzer

Margaret Hoelzer

Personal information
Full name	Margaret Josephine Hoelzer
National team	United States
Born	(1983-03-30) March 30, 1983 Huntsville, Alabama
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight	174 lb (79 kg)
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Backstroke, freestyle
Club	FAST Swim Team
College team	Auburn University
Medal record Women's swimming Representing the United States Olympic Games 2008 Beijing 200 m backstroke 2008 Beijing 4×100 m medley 2008 Beijing 100 m backstroke World Championships (LC) 2003 Barcelona 4×200 m freestyle 2007 Melbourne 200 m backstroke 2007 Melbourne 4×200 m freestyle 2003 Barcelona 200 m backstroke 2005 Montreal 200 m backstroke World Championships (SC) 2004 Indianapolis 200 m backstroke 2006 Shanghai 200 m backstroke 2008 Manchester 4×100 m medley 2006 Shanghai 4×100 m medley 2006 Shanghai 4×200 m freestyle 2008 Manchester 200 m backstroke Pan Pacific Championships 2002 Yokohama 200 m backstroke 2006 Victoria 200 m backstroke

Margaret Josephine Hoelzer (born March 30, 1983) is an American former competition swimmer, Olympic medalist, and former world record-holder. Hoelzer competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics and the 2008 Olympic Games.

Biography

While in Huntsville, Hoelzer swam in the summer for Jones Valley Recreation Association, and swam for her high school, Huntsville High School. She also coached for JVRA.

Hoelzer swam for the Auburn Tigers swimming and diving team while attending Auburn University, where she earned her degree in psychology with a minor in criminology. In 2007, Hoelzer moved to Charlotte, NC to train with Coach David Marsh. In 2008, Hoelzer relocated to Seattle, Washington and then to Fullerton, California with coach Sean Hutchison to train at Fullerton Aquatics.

Her grandfather, Helmut Hoelzer invented the first fully electronic analog computer and was a member of the Wernher von Braun Operation Paperclip team. Her sister, Martha Hoelzer ran cross country and track for the University of Alabama and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Swimming career

2004 Olympics

See also: Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics and 2004 Summer Olympics

At the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials, Hoelzer qualified to swim the 200-meter backstroke by placing first, with a time of 2:11.88. She also swam in the 100-meter backstroke, but did not qualify to swim that event at the Olympics.

In the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, she placed 5th in the 200-meter backstroke, with a time of 2:10.70.

2008 Olympics

See also: Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2008 Summer Olympics

At the U.S. Trials on July 1, 2008, Hoelzer qualified to swim in the 100-meter backstroke at the 2008 Olympics. On July 5, 2008, Hoelzer broke her former Auburn University roommate Kirsty Coventry's world record of 2:06.39 in the 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:06.09, ultimately qualifying for her second event in the 2008 Olympics. This record was broken in Beijing by Coventry. She also qualified for the women's 4×100-meter medley relay.

Hoelzer won a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke on August 12 in Beijing. She also won the silver medal in the 200-meter backstroke on August 16, and the silver medal in the 4×100-meter medley relay on August 17 after swimming in the qualifying heats for that event.

Personal life

Hoelzer has revealed that she was sexually abused as a child. She said she shared her story to prevent future incidents of sexual abuse. Hoelzer is the national spokesperson for the National Children's Advocacy Center, and has received the "Voice of Courage" award from the Darkness to Light organization.

See also

• List of Auburn University people
• List of Olympic medalists in swimming (women)
• List of World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming (women)
• World record progression 200 metres backstroke
• World record progression 4 × 100 metres medley relay

External links

• USA Swimming athlete bio: Margaret Hoelzer
• Margaret Hoelzer Official Bio
• Player Bio
• Official Website

Records
Preceded by Kirsty Coventry	Women's 200-meter backstroke world record-holder (long course) July 5, 2008 – August 16, 2008	Succeeded by Kirsty Coventry

Template:Footer Pan Pacific Champions 200m Backstroke Women