#279 The Legend of Madame Butterfly, Mary T. Meagher

Inside with Brett Hawke

English - October 17, 2022 12:00 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MB - ★★★★★ - 143 ratings
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Previous Episode: #278 Jess Jackson on her swimming career, family tragedy, & mental health advocacy

Next Episode: LIVE with Diogo Ribeiro, Portugal's Teenage Swimming Sensation

Mary T. Meagher (now Plant) is a 3x Olympian (1980/1984/1988), 3x Olympic gold medalist (1984), and Bronze medalist (1988) for the United States of America. Madame Butterfly, as she was affectionately nicknamed, took the 100 (57.9) and 200 Butterfly (2.05.9) events to new heights. Mary's World Records stood for 18 & 19 years, respectively!

Her career wasn't all flowers and frosting, though. After setting those World Records, she spent the next 7 years trying to better them. She missed out on competing in the 1980 Moscow Olympics due to the American boycott. And in 1984, didn't get to compete against the best because the Soviets boycotted back.

Mary swam for the likes of Dennis Pursley, Karen Moe, and Bill Peak. She is married to Mike Plant, Olympic speedskater, Vice President of the Atlanta Braves, and 10-term USOC Board Member.

Enjoy!

00:00 Bratter PA Immigration Law

00:05 Hello Mary T!

01:50 Denis Pursley Quote

03:10 5’8 128 lbs

03:40 Training & Personality

5:05 10th out of 11th children

06:55 How’d you get into swimming?

09:20 2:05.9/57.9

12:50 Bill Peak 1981

14:45 So much better

18:18 Beine Genetic Testing

19:06 Swim Angelfish

19:43 1980 Olympics

21:09 1984 Olympics

22:15 Kids know your history?

23:22 Husband was an Olympian

24:30 Madam Butterfly

27:05 Taking the WR from 209 to 205

28:15 Rivalry with Lisa

29:00 3x800 Butterfly, 12x200 Butterfly, 30x100 Butterfly

30:58 Favorite Type of Set

32:12 Skipping 58 in the 100

34:20 How did you afford training?

35:20 Swimming at Cal with Coach Mo

37:07 Swimnerd Live Results

37:45 Retirement after 88

40:45 Glenn Mills

41:27 ISHOF Induction

42:12 Regrets?

44:15 Husband Mike Plant

45:30 Why no googles?

47:37 Jon Sieben

48:40 Vasa Trainer

49:05 Destro Swim Towers

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