Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin eliminated from 'Dancing with the Stars'

By DERRIK J. LANG , Associated Press

Last update: October 21, 2009 - 5:38 AM

LOS ANGELES - Natalie Coughlin won't be going for the gold on "Dancing with the Stars."

The Olympic swimmer and her professional partner, Alec Mazo, were eliminated Tuesday from ABC's popular dancing competition. The pair received a total score of 22 out of 30 from the show's judges for their paso doble Monday. After viewer votes were combined with the judges' scores, the 27-year-old Olympic gold medalist was eliminated from the show.

"I guess I didn't show it, how much I loved it," said Coughlin, "but I really did, and I'm sorry."

Before Coughlin's dismissal, the show's 16 professional dancers honored the late Michael Jackson with a performance fusing classic ballroom and Latin styles set to "I Want You Back," "Man In The Mirror" and "Thriller." Jackson family members including Katherine, La Toya and Jermaine Jackson watched the tribute from the front row in the ballroom.

"He's just an inspiration to all of us," said professional dancer Mark Ballas.

The nine remaining celebrity contestants competing for the "Dancing with the Stars" mirrorball trophy are entertainer Donny Osmond, actress Melissa Joan Hart, model Joanna Krupa, professional snowboarder Louie Vito, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin, singers Mya and Aaron Carter and TV personalities Mark Dacascos and Kelly Osbourne.

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ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co.

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On the Net:

http://abc.go.com/primetime/dancingwiththestars

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