Amanda Ray Beard (Irvine, California, 29 October 1981) is an American Olympic swimmer.
Beard made her first Olympic appearance at the 1996 games at the age of 14. She won silver medals in the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststrokes, and a gold in the medley relay.
Her childlike manner captured the imagination of the media, and she was often photographed clutching her teddy bear, Harold, who joined her on the medal stand. She won a bronze in the 200-meter breaststroke at the 2000 Games. Beard attended the University of Arizona where she captured an individual NCAA National Championship in 2001. Read more at Wikipedia