Famous Olympic Athletes And How They’re Looking Years Later

Olympic medalists are among the most exceptional human beings on the planet. Unsurprisingly, these outstanding individuals often continue to excel later in life… Check out some of the greatest Olympians and how they’re doing nowadays.

Shawn Johnson

Shawn Johnson’s parents made a very fateful decision when they took her to a gymnastics class. She was just three years old, and it kicked off a successful career that culminated in grabbing gold at the balance beams and three silver medals in the 2008 Beijing Games. A torn ACL she suffered in a skiing accident cut short her gymnastics career, but she has remained in the public eye. Besides Dancing with the Stars, Johnson’s made regular appearances on TV whether it be talk shows or commentary.

Amanda Beard

At the young age of 14, Amanda Beard won a gold and two silver medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Images of her clutching her teddy bear at the podium are some of the most memorable pictures from the Games, when she became the second-youngest American to win a gold medal. Beard continued to compete at the Olympics until 2012, when she didn’t qualify. She managed to win seven Olympic medals all in all. Besides her career in sports, she’s worked as a sports correspondent, model, and as an animal rights activist.

Tara Lipinski

Tara Lipinski made history at just 14 years, nine months, and 10 days old when she became the 1997 World Figure Skating Champion. The following year, the American skating sensation converted this success to Olympic gold in the 1998 Olympics, but when she became professional that same year, it meant she could no longer compete in competitions. The media lambasted her, and one journalist likened it to joining the circus. Lipinski ended her professional career in 2002, but later said she was searching for something, so she launched a sports commentator career.

Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps smashed fellow American Mark Spitz’s records, winning an incredible 23 Olympic gold medals. This brings his total Olympic medals up to 28. After 2012, it was thought that he had retired, yet in 2016 he returned to the Olympic Games, this time in Rio, and dominated the competition. They were his fourth Games. Besides winning medals, he also started the Michael Phelps Foundation in 2008, which grows swimming as a sport to promote health ever since he committed a $1 million bonus from Speedo.