An Olympian at 18 in 2004, Amanda Weir made big plans for 2009-stage a comeback.

A fresh new attitude and perspective helped Weir fulfill that goal, highlighted at the 2009 Short Course Nationals when she captured two titles in both the 50y (21.90) and 100y (47.84) freestyle. For her efforts she was selected to represent Team USA at the Duel in the Pool against the E-Stars. At the meet in Manchester, England, she was on the world record-setting 4×100m medley relay and the American Record setting 4×100m freestyle relay.

Prior to nationals and the Duel in the Pool, Weir had a strong showing at the 2009 World Championships in Rome, Italy. Representing the stars and stripes in the 50m and 100m freestyle as well as the women’s 400m freestyle relay, she left the historic city with two personal best times (24.23, 52.02). Her performance in the 100m freestyle was good enough to reclaim the American Record in the event.

Weir’s successes on the national level and international level come after having distinguished herself amongst the highest competition at an early age. By the time she reached 18, she had broken national age group records for every age division in her signature events-the 50 and 100 yard and meter freestyle.

While many young athletes with such early success tend to fade away, Weir continued to thrive, breaking onto the international level.

At the 2003 Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic, Weir represented the United States at her first international meet. Leading off the 400m freestyle, she split a 54.4, becoming the fourth fastest American female in the event and the fastest in the world that year. Her stand-out performance aided in the relay team winning the event.

With a taste of victory fresh, Weir’s focus became making the 2004 US Olympic Team. With almost 10,000 live viewers witnessing her dream come true, she secured a spot on the team as a member of the 400m freestyle relay by placing 3rd in the 100m freestyle. In Athens, Weir was instrumental to the US women breaking the American Record in the 400m freestyle, and capturing a silver medal. She also swam the freestyle leg on the preliminary heat of the 400m medley relay, which went on to place second- adding to her medal count.

Entering her freshman year at the University of Georgia, Weir immediately impacting the program. The team won the 2005 Women’s NCAA Championships, with Weir being an instrumental member on four out of the five winning relays at the meet. After her performance, she was awarded Atlanta Amateur Athlete of the year for 2005. Despite her success, she left the university after her freshman year.

Weir conquered the sprint freestyle events at the 2005 summer nationals after leaving Georgia, winning both the 50m and 100m freestyle. She also secured a spot on the 2005 World Championship team that year where she helped the US win two gold medals as a relay member.

After enrolling in The University of Southern California for the fall semester of 2005, she made the decision to dedicate her attention primarily to swimming and went professional, signing with TYR and returning to her club team, Swim Atlanta.

Following her decision, the 2006 ConocoPhillips Summer Nationals became the stage for Weir to shine when she won the 100m freestyle, shattering the American record in the process. This was Weir’s third national title, and became a highlight in her career- defining her individual talent amongst the nation’s best sprinters.

With the ability to anchor relays or get front-end speed at the start, Weir is widely recognized as an important part of the United State’s women’s relays. After her performances at the Olympic Games and on international team for the United States, she continues to find herself on the podium for these events. Most recently, in 2007, she was on the winning 400m freestyle and 400m medley relay at the Pan Pacific Games.

Despite years of accomplishment, Weir was disappointed with her 2008 Olympic Trial performance, where she missed a qualifying spot on the team. She went on to win the 50y and 100y freestyle at the 2008 Summer Nationals, but still felt that she had hit “rock bottom.� Weir recognized she had nowhere to go but up, and has since reinvented her outlook and training at her club team in Atlanta. Enjoying every day at a time, she is ready for that comeback, and ready to race.