Mary T. Meagher is the greatest butterfly swimmer ever. For her feats she earned the nickname of "Madame Butterfly." Meagher won three gold medals at the 1984 Olympics, in both butterfly events (100m and 200m) and in the 4x100m medley relay. In 1988, by then past her prime, she earned a bronze in the 200m butterfly and a silver in the medley 4x100m relay. Meagher would likely have won both butterfly events in 1980 had the United States not boycotted the Moscow Olympics. She was world champion in 1982 over 100m and in 1986 over 200m. She set two world butterfly records over 100m, and five over 200m, beginning in 1979. Her performance at the 1981 U.S. Nationals remains her greatest effort, when she set world records of 57.93 for 100m, and 2:05.96 for 200m. These records, extremely dominant for their time, both lasted until 1999 before being broken. Her full name was Mary Terstegge Meagher, with her middle name derived from her mother's maiden name. Meagher was always known as Mary T. to differentiate her from a sister who later entered a convent, to literally become a sister, Sister Mary Glen.

Name:
MEAGHER, Mary T
Other names:
MEAGHER, Mary Terstegge
Born:
27 October 1964
Birthplace:
Louisville (United States)
Nationality:
United States

Olympic Games:
Gold: 3
Silver: 1
World Championships:
Gold: 2 ('82, '86)
Silver: 5 ('82, '86)
Bronze: 2 ('86)

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