Olympian Jenny Thompson Fights Off Attack

Eight-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Jenny Thompson says would-be robbers punched her in the face in a failed bid to steal her scooter outside Boston.

Thompson told WBZ-TV on Wednesday that she was riding in Brookline on Monday night when a vehicle stopped behind her with its headlights out. She says two people got out, punched her, pushed her down and tried to grab her ride.

"I didn't register what was going on and I said 'Your lights are out.' And the guy was like , 'What about your lights?' and proceeded to punch me in the face… then pushed me down and tried to take my scooter ," Thompson told WBZ TV in Boston. "I fought them off and was screaming at the top of my lungs and people came out of the houses."

Thompson held onto the scooter and screamed for help, forcing the assailants to flee. The 37-year-old suffered a cut on her nose and several scrapes.

Police say three teenagers were arrested later Monday night with stolen scooters, and they are investigating whether the teens were connected to the Thompson incident.

Thompson is one of the most successful American Olympians, with 12 medals overall. Her most recent medals came in the 2004 Athens Games.

Watch the full interview with WBZ TV: