Barbara Bedford

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For the American actor, see Barbara Bedford (actor).

Medal record
Women's swimming
Competitor for United States
Olympic Games
Gold	2000 Sydney ^[1]	4x100 m medley
World Championships - Long Course
Gold	1998 Perth	4x100m Freestyle
World Championships (SC)
Bronze	1995 Rio de Janeiro	100 m backstroke
Bronze	1995 Rio de Janeiro	4x100 m medley
Pan American Games
Gold	1995 Mar del Plata	100 m backstroke
Gold	1995 Mar del Plata	200 m backstroke
Gold	1995 Mar del Plata	4x100 m medley
Summer Universiade
Gold	1993 Buffalo	100 m backstroke

Barbara Jane ("BJ") Bedford (born November 9, 1972 in Hanover, New Hampshire) is a former backstroke swimmer from the United States, who was a member of the American team that won the Olympic gold medal in the 4x100m Medley Relay at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Her winning teammates in that race were Megan Quann (breaststroke), Jenny Thompson (butterfly), and Dara Torres (freestyle).

Bedford was introduced to swimming by her three older brothers, whom she aspired to be like. She is the daughter of Frederick and Jane Bedford of Etna, New Hampshire. BJ attended Hanover High School and Kimball Union Academy, where she swam with the North Country Aquatics Club. She then attended the Peddie School in New Jersey, where she swam alongside such swimming luminaries as Nelson Diebel, Royce Sharp, Jennifer Smart, Andrew Rutherford, and Peter Wright. She later graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in art history.

Bedford was a big competitor in the 2000 Olympics, where she won the 100 meter backstroke at the Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, Indiana as well as a Gold Medal in the 4x100 meter Medley Final in Sydney, Australia. She has also earned seven U.S. National titles in the 50, 100 and 200 meter backstrokes. She also helped set a record (3:58.30) in the women's relay, breaking the record set by China at the 1994 World Championships.

Prior to the 2000 Olympics, Bedford won the bronze medal in the 1994 FINA World Aquatic Championships, becoming the 11th fastest woman in history in the 100 meter backstroke. That same year, B.J. won two golden and a silver medals at the Goodwill Games. She also captured three gold medals for swimming in the women's 100 and 200 meter backstroke at the 1995 Pan American Games, held in Mar del Plata, Argentina.