Kim Linehan

Kim Linehan was for a time the world’s top distance freestyler. At the 1978 World Championships she won bronze medals in the 400 and 800 metre freestyles. In 1982 she improved on that by winning the World title in the 800 free. Linehan set the world record in the 400 freestyle at the 1978 US Nationals. At the 1979 US Nationals, she broke the 1,500 world record, a mark which would stand for eight years, until broken by Janet Evans.

Linehan swam for the University of Texas. Linehan made the ill-fated 1980 Olympic team, where she would likely have been favored in the 400 and 800 metre freestyles. She retired after the 1982 World Championships, and did not compete in 1983, but returned for the 1984 Olympics, although not as strong as she had been, and placed fourth in the 800 at Los Angeles. Linehan retired after the 1984 Games and moved home to Florida, where she attended the University of South Florida. She later became a social worker and health care administrator in Peoria, Illinois.