Courtesy of JanetEvans.comJanet Evans' attempted comeback is in full swing, albeit at smaller meets as she competes against herself trying to improve ahead of next summer's Olympic trials.In 2007, American swimmer Kate Ziegler broke Janet Evans' 1988 world record in the 1,500-meter freestyle. Ziegler calls Evans "a mentor, hero and legend." One year later, U.S. swimmer Katie Hoff broke Evans' 1988 U.S. record in the 400 freestyle. Hoff calls Evans "the best distance swimmer ever."
At the 2012 Olympics in London, Ziegler, 23, and Hoff, 22, may be calling Janet Evans "teammate." One of the most decorated distance swimmers in history is making a comeback. At 40 years old, Evans is once again trying to do the impossible.
"When I retired in 1996, I had a million things I wanted to do," said Evans, who, with husband Billy Wilson, has two children, Sydney, 5, and Jake, 2. "I watched nationals last summer and decided to put swimming on the front burner."
Hoff is excited about Evans' decision. "It was an honor to break Janet's record," said the Maryland native and Newport Beach, Calif., resident. "More power to her. It would definitely be pretty weird to race against her. I haven't really thought about that one yet."
It might be time for Hoff and other swimmers to begin that thought process.
"I'm doing nine swimming and three weight workouts per week," Evans said. "Physiologically, I've surprised myself. There are things I need to work on, but mentally, it's all good. I don't have to do this and it won't affect my legacy. I don't feel like I am 40 years old."
Ziegler marvels at Evans' past and present. "Janet swam times 20 years ago that would still be competitive today," said Ziegler, who as a Virginia high schooler broke Evans' national scholastic record in the 1,500 freestyle. "The best part of breaking Janet's world record is that she called me the next day to congratulate me. It was the highlight of my career."
Evans, who is focusing on the 800 freestyle in her comeback, is similarly impressed with Ziegler and Hoff. "I respect those girls," she said. "They both moved to California to train and have been through tough times. I identify and relate to that."
Ziegler won a silver medal in the 1,500 freestyle at the 2011 FINA World Championships in Shanghai. She said she looks forward to competing with Evans. "It's certainly something I never expected to have happen, but I think it's really cool," Ziegler said. "Janet will bring a lot of attention to distance swimming. So often we get a little blip here and there, and then they go to a commercial."
Evans still holds the second- and third-fastest U.S. times in the 400 freestyle. She remains the U.S. record-holder in the 800 freestyle and held the world record from 1989 to 2008, when Great Britain's Rebecca Adlington shattered the mark at the Beijing Olympics. Evans also holds the second- and third-fastest world times in the 1,500 freestyle.
Still, the five-time Olympic medalist's most cherished highlight came outside the pool.
"Running the torch at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics was hands down, 100 percent my best moment," Evans said. "It was a great finish to my career."
As Evans attempts to retrace the road to glory, her potential teammates also have their eyes on London 2012.
Hoff, who earned three medals in Beijing in 2008, said she views "the world championships and nationals as a stepping stone [to London], and I hope to do well and build off that momentum."
She finished seventh in the 400 freestyle in this year's worlds. In the 2011 nationals at Stanford University, she finished second in the 200 individual medley, sixth in the 200 backstroke and 14th in the 200 breaststroke.
Ziegler did not compete at nationals but is focused on the future.
"My long-term goal is to do well in the Olympics," Ziegler said. "I'm always thinking about how I can improve and be in top form for 2012."
Evans did not swim in the 2011 worlds or nationals. In June, she broke the U.S. Masters records in both the 400 freestyle and the 800 freestyle at her invitational meet in Fullerton, Calif. Since then, she has continued to work with legendary USC and U.S. swimming coach Mark Schubert and his Mission Viejo Nadadores team.
Evans' ultimate goal is the 2012 Olympic trials set for June 25-July 2 in Omaha, Neb.
"Janet is not participating in any huge competitions right now," her agent, Evan Morgenstein, of PMG Sports, said. "She is working with her coach in small meets, essentially competing against herself trying to improve."
Evans cites the words of a fellow sports legend to define her comeback. "Muhammad Ali said he went through all the training to live life as a champion," she said, her voice cracking.
"I get emotional thinking about that. Mark Schubert tells me to see what is five feet in front of me. London isn't there in my head yet, but to me, I've already achieved success. A lot of people say I can't do this, but that doesn't matter. This is a personal journey."
