 Belote was born in Washington, D.C. She grew up in Springfield, Virginia, was a member of the Springfield Swim and Racquet Club, and attended Robert E. Lee High School in Fairfax County, Virginia.At 15 years old, she won three gold medals at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany.In the women's 100-meter backstroke, Belote defeated her American teammate and world-record holder Susie Atwood.