Margaret Hoelzer
Margaret Hoelzer is a swimmer for the United States Olympic team who won one bronze and two silver medals in Beijing 2008 Olympics. Hoelzer specializes in backstroke swimming style, and held the world record for women's 200 meter backstroke for a time.
On September 15, 2008, Hoelzer revealed that she was sexually abused as a child and discussed how it continues to affect her life.1
Fast Facts
- Born: March 30, 1983 in Huntsville, Alabama
- Height: 5-11
- Studied at Auburn University
- Held a world record for less than two months2
- Won two individual medals (a silver and a bronze) and a silver group medal2
- Individual medals in backstroke competitions2
Sexual Abuse
Hoelzer revealed that she was sexually abused between the ages of five and seven by a friend's father. The abuse stopped when the friend's family moved away. The medalist said that she realized what happened to her at the age of eleven, when she told her mother.1
Hoelzer said that she was dealing with the trauma in high-school and college and that she is still learning to cope. She decided to go public with it to help others avoid and deal with sexual abuse without shame.1
Related Pages on Mahalo
Swimming | 2008 Olympics | Michael Phelps Gold Medals | Michael Phelps World Records | Phelps Breaks Spitz Record | Phelps Photo Finish | Phelps Endorsements | Ryan Lochte | Tiger Woods | Roger Federer | Michael Jordan | US Olympic Basketball 2008
Categories
