Otto, Kristin (1966- )

German swimmer, who won six gold medals at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. Born in Leipzig, in what was then East Germany, Otto attended and trained at an East German sports school from the age of 11. At the 1982 world championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador, she won gold medals in the 100-meter backstroke, the 400-meter freestyle relay, and the 400-meter medley relay (see swimming). After missing the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles because of East Germany's participation in a boycott, Otto achieved greater success at the 1986 world championships in Madrid, Spain. She won gold medals in the 100-meter freestyle, the 200-meter individual medley, the 400-meter freestyle relay, and the 400-meter medley relay. Along with American swimmer Janet Evans, Otto dominated the women's swimming competition at the 1988 Olympics, winning gold medals in the 50-meter freestyle, the 100-meter freestyle, the 100-meter backstroke, the 100-meter butterfly, the 400-meter freestyle relay, and the 400-meter medley relay. In doing so she became the first woman to win six gold medals at a single Olympics. After retiring from competitive swimming, Otto worked as a coach and as a television commentator.