Natalie Anisha Hinds is an American professional swimmer specializing in freestyle and butterfly events. She made her international championships debut at 27 years of age, winning a bronze medal in the 4×100 meter freestyle relay at the 2020 Summer Olympics, swimming in both the prelims and the final. In her first final at a World Championships in an individual event, she placed eighth in the 100 meter freestyle at the 2022 World Short Course Championships when she was 29 years old. At the 2022 US National Championships, she won the national title in the 100 meter freestyle. Between the 2022 World Aquatics Championships (long course) and the 2022 World Short Course Championships, she won a total of five medals in relay events as a prelims-only relay swimmer.
Background Hinds was born to parents Claudia Hinds and Melvin Hinds.Hadorn, Christopher (July 21, 2021). "Hinds' Olympic journey brings joy to family, ex-coaches". Midland Reporter-Telegram. Retrieved November 2, 2022. She learned to swim early in life from her mom.SwimSwam (September 14, 2020). "SwimSwam Podcast: Natalie Hinds Shares Chronicles of a Lifelong Swimmer". YouTube. Retrieved July 2, 2021. She is a graduate of Midland High School.Brandenburg, Jakob (June 24, 2021). "West Texas Olympian Natalie Hinds reacts to making Team USA". CBS7. Retrieved July 2, 2021. In college Hinds majored in Communication for her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida. She graduated with her degree in 2016."2020 U.S. Olympic Team Roster". USA Swimming. June 21, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
After a break from swimming, Hinds trained with the Athens Bulldog Swim Club following her return to swimming in 2018 and through winning a medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics.De George, Matthew (January 8, 2022). "Natalie Hinds Teases Return to College Roots in Gainesville". Swimming World. Retrieved January 9, 2022. In 2022, Hinds announced her return to Florida to train as part of the postgrad group at the University of Florida.Dornan, Ben (January 9, 2022). "Olympic Medalist And Former Georgia Pro Natalie Hinds Returns To Florida". SwimSwam. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
Career 2012–2018 Hinds competed at her first US Olympic Team Trials in swimming in 2012 where she ranked 47th in the 100 meter butterfly with a time of 1:00.81 and did not advance to the 2012 Summer Olympics.Carter, Scott (June 28, 2021). "Gators In Olympic Games: Natalie Hinds". University of Florida. Retrieved July 2, 2021.Omega Timing (July 2, 2012). "2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Complete Results". USA Swimming. Retrieved July 3, 2021. In 2015, Hinds gained recognition from NBC, USA Swimming, and SwimSwam alongside Simone Manuel and Lia Neal for being the first trio of African-American swimmers at a Women's Division 1 NCAA Championship to sweep the podium, take first, second, and third place, in a single event."Three College Swimmers Make History At NCAA Championship: African-American swimmers took the top three finishes in a single event at NCAA Swimming Championships this weekend". NBC. March 23, 2015. Retrieved July 2, 2021."1st African American woman to win an Olympic medal on the historic 1-2-3 Minority Finish at Women's NCAAs". SwimSwam. March 23, 2015. Retrieved July 2, 2021. At the 2016 US Olympic Trials in swimming, Hinds ranked 40th in the 100 meter freestyle with a 56.31, 55th in the 50 meter freestyle with a time of 26.08 seconds, and 70th in the 100 meter butterfly with a 1:01.08, not qualifying for the 2016 Summer Olympics."2016 Olympic Trials Results". USA Swimming. July 3, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
2016–2018: Taking a break from swimming In 2016 Hinds decided to take a break from swimming, transitioning to app development as part of her job at Turner Broadcasting based in Atlanta, Georgia. She returned to competitive swimming after being inspired by the 2018 USA National Championships.
2020–2021: 27 years old at international championships debut For the 2020—2021 time span, Hinds signed a professional endorsement deal with the United States division of swimwear company Arena.West, Brandi (September 17, 2020). "Arena USA signs 20x NCAA All-American, Natalie Hinds, through 2021". Swimming World. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
2020 US Olympic Trials In the semifinals of the 100 meter freestyle at the 2020 US Olympic Trials in swimming, Hinds tied her training partner Olivia Smoliga for first place.D'Addona, Dan (June 20, 2021). "Natalie Hinds, Olivia Smoliga Share Rare Bond, Now Olympic Teammates: 'That is Why This is So Special For Us'". Swimming World. Retrieved July 2, 2021. Both Hinds and Olivia Smoliga touched in at 53.55 seconds in the first of two semifinals heats."2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wave II: Women's 100m Freestyle Semifinals Results Summary". Omega Timing. June 17, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2022. In the final Hinds ranked fourth, qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Team in the 4×100 meter freestyle relay for the 2020 Summer Olympics. Her father was in the crowd in-person to see it happen, while her mother watched it play out on television as she was concerned about her anxiety and nerves potentially affecting her daughter's performance. In her other events, Hinds ranked 11th in the 100 meter butterfly semifinals with a time of 58.40 and ranked 11th in the 50 meter freestyle swimming a 25.14 in the semifinals."2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Wave II Complete Results". USA Swimming. June 20, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
2020 Summer Olympics
The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan were the first Olympic Games Hinds qualified to compete in and her first international championships, making her 27 years old at her international debut. Hinds swam in both the prelims and the final of the 4×100 meter freestyle relay.Sutherland, James (July 24, 2021). "Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Day 1 Prelims Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved July 24, 2021.Anderson, Jared (July 24, 2021). "Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Day 1 Finals Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved July 24, 2021. In the prelims, Hinds and her prelims relay teammates Olivia Smoliga, Catie DeLoof, and Allison Schmitt placed fifth overall and qualified the relay to swim in the final.Storrs, Mason (July 24, 2021). "Midland native Natalie Hinds, Team USA Women's 4x100m freestyle relay team qualify for Olympic finals". NewsWest 9. Retrieved July 25, 2021. Of the swimmers on her prelims relay, Hinds had the fastest individual time with a split of 53.28 seconds.Omega Timing; Atos (August 1, 2021). "Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games: Swimming Results Book" . International Olympic Committee. Retrieved September 20, 2021. She and her finals relay teammates Abbey Weitzeil, Simone Manuel, and Erika Brown swam a 3:32.81 and earned the bronze medal in the final.Pinson, Chris (July 24, 2021). "Kieran Smith, Natalie Hinds first Gators to earn medals for Team U.S.A.". WCJB-TV. Retrieved July 24, 2021. Hinds and Kieran Smith were the first two University of Florida Gators to win a medal at the 2020 Olympics.
International Swimming League In 2021, Hinds was chosen to compete for California-based team Cali Condors in the 2021 International Swimming League.Penland, Spencer (August 1, 2021). "ISL Season 3: Free Agency Period Closed After 36 Free Agent Signings In July". SwimSwam. Retrieved August 2, 2021. By the end of the 2021 season, Hinds had earned a total of 225 Most Valuable Player points over the 16 matches she had competed in since the debut of the International Swimming League in 2019, ranking her as 83rd out of 488 competitors in the history of the league in terms of total Most Valuable Player points earned.Keith, Braden (December 13, 2021). "Sarah Sjostrom Becomes ISL's First-Ever Swimmer To Clear 1000 MVP Points". SwimSwam. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
2022: First-time national champion at 28 years old On day two of the 2022 Pro Swim Series in Westmont, Illinois in early March, Hinds placed fourth in the 100 meter freestyle with a time of 54.74 seconds.Lohn, John (March 3, 2022). "TYR Pro Series: Lilly King, Michael Andrew Storm to 100 Breaststroke Wins; Katie Ledecky Dazzles in 400 Freestyle". Swimming World. Retrieved March 3, 2022. For the third day, she placed fifth in the final of the 100 meter butterfly with a time of 58.73 seconds, and on the fourth day she finished sixth in the final of the 50 meter freestyle with a 25.29 after swimming a 25.23 in the prelims heats.Hy-Tek (March 5, 2022). "2022 TYR Pro Swim Series - Westmont: Meet Results". swmeets.com. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
Pro Swim Series – San Antonio At the end of March, Hinds started competition at the 2022 Pro Swim Series stop held at Northside Swim Center in San Antonio, Texas by qualifying for the final of the 100 meter butterfly on day two with a 59.85 that ranked her eighth overall in the prelims heats.Hamann, Michael (March 31, 2022). "Pro Swim Series- San Antonio: Day 2 Prelim Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved March 31, 2022. In the final, she placed sixth with a 59.37.Harder, Matthew (March 31, 2022). "Pro Swim Series- San Antonio: Day 2 Finals Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved March 31, 2022. In the morning prelims heats the next day, she swam a 25.39 to qualify for the final ranking third, 0.35 seconds behind first-ranked Claire Curzan and 0.04 seconds behind second-ranked Erika Brown.Hamann, Michael (April 1, 2022). "Pro Swim Series- San Antonio: Day 3 Prelims Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved April 1, 2022. She placed fifth in the final with a time of 25.29 seconds.Lohn, John (April 1, 2022). "TYR Pro Series: Teenage Star Claire Curzan Notches Impressive Double; Katie Ledecky Cruises in 400 Freestyle'". Swimming World. Retrieved April 1, 2022. For the prelims heats of the 100 meter freestyle on day four, she qualified for the final ranking fourth with a time of 54.73 seconds.Hamann, Michael (April 2, 2022). "Pro Swim Series- San Antonio: Day 4 Prelims Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved April 2, 2022. With a time of 54.30 seconds in the final, she placed third.Harder, Matthew (April 2, 2022). "Pro Swim Series – San Antonio: Day 4 Finals Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
2022 International Team Trials