Van Dyken

Amy Van Dyken says she's "a lot smarter about training" than she used to be.

Grannies Of The Games 2008

After Van Dyken won four medals in Atlanta, Speedo more than tripled her contract.

Grannies Of The Games 2008

"For underdogs, we have quite a big bite," says Van Dyken, who won the 50-meter freestyle and the 100-meter butterfly and added two more golds in relays.

Pool Sharks 2008

Amy Van Dyken, the upbeat, asthmatic swimmer from Colorado, arrived in Atlanta with one corporate backer, Speedo; she left with four gold medals and corporate America clamoring for her endorsements.

Nothin' But Blue Skies 2008

Amy Van Dyken of the United States swims for health, for glory and to help exorcise the demons of an adolescence when she was too tall, too awkward, too nerdy.

Pool Sharks 2008

With a fat contract from Speedo and four bands of gold around her neck, Van Dyken is a permanent member of the popular crowd.

Pool Sharks 2008

"" Sprinters are definitely more macho, '' says Van Dyken.

Caught Speeding 2008

Van Dyken and her teammates will wear the latest in racing gear, suits made from a new Speedo fabric called Aquablade, which is faintly striped.

Caught Speeding 2008

Van Dyken may choose from a unitard with shorts and a high neck or a suit with 12 rubber upside-down V's -- "" gummy bears, '' she calls them -- across her rear end.

Caught Speeding 2008

Van Dyken finished her first race -- out of the money in the 100-meter freestyle -- flat on her back at poolside, suffering from a body-length muscle cramp.

Pool Sharks 2008