Mary T. Meagher

Mary T. Meagher is the greatest butterfly swimmer ever. For her feats she earned the nickname of “Madame Butterfly.” Meagher won three gold medals at the 1984 Olympics, in both butterfly events, and on the 4 x 100 metre medley relay. In 1988, by then past her prime, she earned a bronze in the 200 metre butterfly and a silver on the medley relay. Meagher would likely have won both butterfly events in 1980 had the United States not boycotted the Moscow Olympics. She was World Champion in 1982 over 100 metres and in 1986 over 200 metres. She set two world butterfly records over 100 metres, and five over 200 metres, beginning in 1979. Her performance at the 1981 U.S. Nationals remains her greatest effort when she set world records of 57.93 for 100 metres, and 2:05.96 for 200 metres. These records, extremely dominant for their time, both lasted until 1999 before being broken. Her full name was Mary Terstegge Meagher, with the middle name derived from her mother’s maiden name. Meagher was always known as Mary T. to differentiate her from a sister who later entered a convent, to literally become Sister Mary Glen. Married to former speed skater Mike Plant, her sister Anne Meagher Northup was a US Congresswoman.