Born with spina bifida, Champagne, Ill., native Jean Driscoll won 12 medals (five gold, three silver and four bronze) in four Paralympic appearances between 1988 and 2000. She owns the current world record in the 10,000 meters and also won the women's wheelchair division of the Boston Marathon eight times, more than any other athlete in any division.

Also on NBCSports.com Rosenthal: Steelers’ struggles could sink their playoff hopes Circling the Bases: Dodgers unlikely to land Halladay Inside the Irish: Clausen reportedly involved in fight Opinion: So far, Nowitzki is NBA’s MVP  |  Fan Ranker Twitter: Follow us @nbc_sports

MORE FROM OLYMPIC SPORTS

Olympic Sports Section Front

Phelps looking ahead to better times in 2010 Hardy wins 2009 World Cup event Colbert calls bobsled run ‘the ride of my life’ Holcomb, Napier take top spots in 4-man bobsled Rochette captures gold at Skate Canada Bolt, Richards win Athlete of the Year awards Davis continues run in 1,500 Abbott holds on for men's title Germans finish 1-2 in women's WC bobsled Norway, Sweden win World Cup relays Olympic Sports Section Front   Add Olympic Sports headlines to your news reader: