Also known as "Madame Butterfly," Mary T. Meagher Plant is a hero to Louisvillians.  She  brought home three gold medals in the 1984 Olympics for her performance in the 100-and 200- meter butterfly and the 4 x 100 medley relay.  She dominated swimming during the 1980's and was a member of the 1980, 1984, and 1988 Olympic teams.

  Mary T.  began winning swim meets early in life, at the Lakeside Swim Club in Louisville.  At 14, she won her first national title.  She would go on to win 24 national titles.  In 1981, Mary T. beat her previous record for the 200-meter butterfly at the U.S. Long Course Nationals in Brown Deer, Wisconsin, and set the world record in the 100-meter butterfly at 57.93 seconds.  Sports Illustrated called the 57.93 record the "fifth-greatest, single event record of all time in any sport."

  Mary T.  graduated with a degree in early childhood development from the University of California, Berkley, where she became involved with "Pros for Kids" and its campaign against drug abuse. 

Visit the web site of the Olympics.