Coughlin sets six-gold target in Beijing

By Julian Linden

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Natalie Coughlin is one of the most versatile female swimmers in the world and has set herself the target of winning six gold medals in Beijing.

If she achieves her dream, she will match the record haul for a woman at a single Olympics, set by East German swimmer Kristin Otto at Seoul in 1988.

The odds are stacked against Coughlin winning all six but she does have a great chance of winning medals in the lot, which would make her the most successful American female, in any sport, at a single Olympics.

She already is joint holder of the record of five medals, including two golds she won in Athens four years ago.

The 25-year-old will swim in three individual events in Beijing - the 100 metres backstroke, 100 metres freestyle and 200 metres individual medley - plus the three relays.

As the defending champion and world record holder, she is the overwhelming favourite to win the backstroke gold but faces a tougher task in her other two events, where she is among a handful of major contenders.

Coughlin, who holds a university degree in psychology, probably could have swum more events.

She dropped the 100 butterfly despite finishing third at last year's world championships because past experiences convinced her not to overburden herself.