Annie Swisshelm

World Gold Medalist, Curling

The Short List

    * 2002 Olympian, finished fourth
    * 2003 Women’s World champion
    * Three-time U.S. National champion (1998, 2001, 2003)

Did You Know?

    * Finished second at the 2006 U.S. Olympic Team Trials
    * U.S. Curling Association 2003 Team of the Year
    * 2001 U.S. Curling Association and USOC Female Curler of the Year
    * 2001 Frances Brodie Award winner (World Curling Federation sportsmanship award)
    * Selected to the USOC’s Anti-Doping Policy Committee and 2012 Site Selection Committee
    * Elected to represent curling on the USOC's Athlete's Advisory Council and serve on the USOC's Board of Directors
    * Started curling at age 10 “when my mom and dad needed some peace on Sunday afternoons during the winter,” Swisshelm said. Considers her parents, Nancy and Bill Swisshelm, to be her heroes. "The hard work and dedication along with a sense of humor that they have demonstrated in every aspect of their lives has taught me well," Swisshelm said.
    * Earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre at Drake University
    * Proudly admits to being a Chicago Cubs major league baseball fan. "I am a baseball fanatic and a die-hard Cubs fan. A sunny afternoon in the bleachers at Wrigley Field is close to a religious experience,” Swisshelm said.
    * Enjoys cooking, music, skiing, golf, reading
    * Owns a 15-year-old Ficus plant named Rodney

It's Every Day

Her off-ice training includes a unique drill to improve sweeping and sweep-recovery that utilizes pieces of corrugated cardboard from her work. She uses "retired" brooms to do interval sweeping on the corrugated. "The indoor slide board built by one of my friends is handy to keep my legs in "on-ice" condition throughout the summer," said Swisshelm.

Related Links

Q&A: Curling World champions on bringing home the gold
Photo gallery: Curling Overview