Natalie Coughlin likely hung on to make her third Olympics with a

Natalie Coughlin likely hung on to make her third Olympics with a sixth-place finish in the 100-meter freestyle last night, giving her a chance to win a record-tying 12th Olympic medal in London.

But it won’t be in an individual event.

The 29-year-old had already missed out in the 100 backstroke, where she is the two-time defending Olympic champion, and the 100 butterfly. Coughlin was down to her last chance in the 100 free, needing a top-six finish in the eight-woman final at the U.S. Olympic trials to earn consideration for the 400 free relay team.

She got it, edging fellow former Cal stars Madison Kennedy and Dana Vollmer for the sixth and last spot. Coughlin and fifth-place finisher Amanda Weir, will likely be added to the team in the 400 free relay, pending swimmers qualifying in multiple events.

“It’s a relief to make my third Olympic team,” Coughlin said. “I’ll be there to support my teammates and the rest of Team USA. I think that will be my bigger role this Olympics.”

Coughlin added, “This wasn’t the meet that I visualized or anticipated going into this year … but right now I couldn’t be happier.”

Coughlin now has a chance to tie Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres as the country’s most decorated female Olympians of all time. The duo have 12, Coughlin 11. But Torres is trying to make the Olympic team in the 50 free where she could become the all-time leader.

Source AP