Donna Devarona

Having already set 18 world records in swimming, Donna Devarona cemented her legacy as a formidable athlete at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, securing two gold medals: one in the 400-meter individual medley, where she set an Olympic record, and another as part of the world-record-setting 4×100-meter freestyle relay team. Her athletic prowess was recognized globally in 1964, as she was voted the ‘most outstanding woman athlete in the world’ by both Associated Press and United Press International. Her remarkable early career also included qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team in 1960.

Her influence was further recognized in 1999 when she was ranked on Sports Illustrated for Women’s ‘100 Greatest Athletes’ list. Devarona continues her dedicated advocacy as a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Women and Sports Commission, a board member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, and an executive board member of Special Olympics International. She also contributed significantly to the establishment and funding of both the United States Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency.