Sheila Taormina
Sheila Christine Taormina is an American athlete who has competed in four Olympic games (1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008) and was the first woman to qualify for the Olympics in three different sports (swimming, triathlon and the modern pentathlon). She earned a gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics in the Women’s 4x200-meter freestyle relay.
Swimming Career
Sheila swam for the Georgia Bulldogs and graduated with a BA in 1992 and an MBA in 1994. She was the captain of the University of Georgia swim team in 1991 and won All-American honors all four years of her college career. She was the first UGA swimmer to win an Olympic gold medal and the first UGA athlete to make an Olympic team in multiple sports.
Triathlon Career
Taormina competed at the first Olympic triathlon in the 2000 Summer Olympics where she finished sixth. In the 2004 Summer Olympics, Taormina finished 23rd in the triathlon.
Modern Pentathlon
Post-Athens, Taormina embarked on a new sport, the modern pentathlon, winning the women's senior division of the 2005 Pan American Championships. She qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games in the modern pentathlon, making her the first female athlete to qualify for the Olympics in three different sports. Taormina finished 19th in the 2008 Olympics.
