About Keena Rothhammer
Keena Ruth Rothhammer (born February 26, 1957) is an American former competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and former world record-holder in two events. Rothhammer was born to Jewish parents Grant Roy Rothhammer and Dianne Becker Rothhammer in Little Rock, Arkansas, on February 26, 1957. When their daughters exceptional potential as a competitive swimmer became apparent, the Rothhammers left Little Rock for southern California, where there was a greater availability of outstanding youth programs for exceptional age-group swimmers. == Swimming career == As a teenager, she grew up in Santa Clara, California, and trained with the Santa Clara Swim Club under Hall of Fame Coach George Haines, who was noted for training many U.S. Olympic swimmers during the 1960s and 1970s. Diverse in her stroke skills, she won the 100-meter backstroke in a close finish at the Santa Clara Invitational in July, 1971. === 1972 Olympics === As a 15-year-old, Rothhammer represented the United States at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. She became the youngest person to ever win the gold medal in the women's 800-meter freestyle and set a new world record of 8:53.68, while establishing world records in the event on two successive days. She also won the bronze medal in the women's 200-meter freestyle at the 1972 Olympics. At the 1973 World Aquatics Championships, she won the 200-meter freestyle and finished second in the 400-meter freestyle. The same year, she was named North American Athlete of the Year.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.