Back to the Olympics Newsfeed

Natalie Coughlin will use past as prologue for 2016 Olympics

(Photo: Matt York, AP)

MESA, Ariz. — Natalie Coughlin wasn't happy with her performance at the London Olympics. Or with her 2012 season in general.

So when that dreadful year finally came to a close, she made some changes. She switched coaches — from Cal's women's swimming coach, Teri McKeever, her coach of 12 years, to Dave Durden, Cal's men's coach.

Since then, Coughlin has focused her training primarily on the 50 and 100 freestyle events, adding in the 100 backstroke in recent months to mix things up a bit.

She trains with four-time Olympic medalist Nathan Adrian and two-time Olympic medalist Anthony Ervin — who just happen to be two of the best sprinters in the world.