Rare Photos of Janet Evans

SI Staff | Feb 22, 2012

Rare Photos of Janet Evans

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Four-time gold medalist swimmer Janet Evans, now 40, announced last year that she's coming out of retirement to compete in the U.S. Swimming Olympic trials this summer. Here's a look at some rare photos of the record-breaking freestyler.

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Evans swims the butterfly portion of the 400-meter individual medley final at the Seoul Games.

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Evans, then just 17, smiles after winning one of her three gold medals at the 1988 Olympics.

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Evans swims at the 1988 Mission Viejo Swim Meet. Slight of build and small of stature, Evans consistently competed against bigger swimmers throughout her career.

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Evans celebrates her victory in the 400-meter individual medley at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

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Evans takes a less serious picture in 1990. She was named Female World Swimmer of the Year in 1987, 1989 and 1990.

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Evans poses for a picture in 1990. She nabbed seven world records throughout her career, setting her first mark at 15.

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Evans prepares to jump into an Austin, Texas pool in 1991. In addition to her four Olympic golds, Evans was a five-time winner at the World Championships.

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Evans adjusts her goggles before the start of her heat at the 1995 National Championships.

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Evans looks determined at the 1995 U.S. National Swimming Championships.

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Evans passes the torch to Muhammad Ali at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

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Evans sits in an office at the University of Southern California. A mother of two young children, Evans balances training and parenting by working out early in the morning so she can be home in time for breakfast.

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Evans gets ready for the 400-meeter freestyle qualifier at the Atlanta games. She didn't qualify for the final in the event and did not win a medal in 1996.

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Evans and Olympian Bruce Jenner (right) talk with game show host Chuck Woolery on the set of "Lingo" in October 2003.

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Evans carries the Olympic torch in 2004. She won the 400- and 800-meter freestyle at the U.S. National Championships 12 times each, the most national titles in one event by any American swimmer.

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Evans poses with (left to right) boxer Vitali Klitschko, actor Tom Cruise and former Olympic track athlete Rafer Johnson after running around Dodger Stadium during the torch relay ahead of the 2004 Athens Olympics.

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Evans (right) and Kate Zeigler stand in a temporary pool in Rockefeller Center in New York City. Evans began training for the 2012 trials in early 2011, but will face an uphill battle to qualify for the London games.

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Evans (right) and American swimmer Natalie Coughlin pose at a 2008 event. Evans, who will be swimming the 400- and 800-meter freestyle at the U.S. trials, won one gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

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Evans throws out the ceremonial first pitch at a Dodgers game. Evans burst into the American consciousness at 16 at the 1988 Olympics, winning three gold medals and setting a world record in the 400-meter freestyle at the Seoul games.

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Evans with daughter Sydney (5) and son Jake (2). Evans, who married in 2004, lives in Southern California with her husband and kids.

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Evans hosts a discussion in New York City in February 2012. Evans became a motivational speaker after she retired following the 1996 Olympic Games.