Samantha's Story
Samantha Riley won three Olympic medals during her stellar career: a silver medal in the women’s 4x100m medley relay in Atlanta in 1996, and consecutive bronze medals in the women’s 100m breaststroke in 1992 and 1996. A dual individual world champion and a successful Commonwealth Games competitor, Riley was one of the most popular swimmers of her era. She competed in three events at both Games she participated in: the women’s 100m and 200m breaststroke and 4x100m medley relay. In 2001 Riley discovered her indigenous heritage after determined research by her mother Lin, who was given up for adoption as a newborn. Her heritage means Riley is the first Australian Indigenous athlete to win an Olympic medal.