Exclusive: Natalie Coughlin Turns Pro, Picks An Agent

by Phillip Whitten

BERKELEY, California, March 28. NATALIE Coughlin, regarded as the USA's top female swimmer and best hope for multiple Olympic medals this summer in Athens, has chosen an agent.

Their choice, SwimInfo has learned, is Janey Miller, head of Janey Miller Management in Colorado.

A formal announcement is expected tomorrow.

The decision by Natalie and her coach at the University of California, Teri McKeever, ends months of speculation in the swimming community and weeks of frantic maneuvering by the sport's leading agents.

Natalie Coughlin owns the world long course record in the 100 meter backstroke and the American record in the 100m free, 100 and 200m backstroke and 100m butterfly. She is the short course world record-holder for 100 and 200 meters backstroke, 100 meters fly, and 100 meters individual medley. In yards, she is the American record-holder in the 100 and 200 yard free, 100 and 200 yard back, 100 and 200 yard fly and 200 yard I.M.

Natalie and Coach McKeever have not yet decided which swimsuit manufacturer the University of California senior will represent. Undoubtedly Miller will play a major role in that decision but Coach McKeever said: "We're not in any hurry and it may take weeks before we decide."

Miller formerly worked for Gold Medal Management in Boulder, Colorado, and IMG, which bought Gold Medal. Her major swimming client was Amy van Dyken, whom she marketed with great skill and corresponding success. Miller also represented Olympians in track and field, skiing and skating.

"We both felt very comfortable with Janey," Coach McKeever said, "and we feel she is the very best person to represent Natalie. We are very happy with our decision."

Natalie Coughlin was out of town for the weekend and unavailable for comment.

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