I read Jenny Thompson conparing herself to other famous swimmers and track people. She forgot to include Shirley Babashoff, another swimmer who won 8 medals in two olympics, Probably to many swimmers today Babashoff and most swimmers prior to 1980 are not known to them. I guess that most of the 1950's swimmers and some of the early 1960's swimmers are not known to me either. But she did mention Mary T Meagher and Tracey Caulkins that came in the generation after Shirley. Oh,well. Maybe, many of us in masters might look up information on the olympics in swimming prior to 1968. And the master swimmers that are younger need to learn about those those olympic swimmers prior to 1984.
Former Member
Well, since there were no olympics in 1940, I don't guess most of the world heard about Patty Aspinall or would even know if I spelled her surname correctly. But, since it was enough before June Krauser's time, she was the only swimmer that we Hoosiers were aware of in those days.
I know that Shirley Babashoff got silver in 100 free in 1972 Olympics and silvers in 200 free in 1972 Olympics and in 1976 Olympics.
She, and others, are not forgotten:
I see them constantly in swimming data, since I started to learn swimming in 1984, and competing in 1986.
I wonder how today's many people, and me, would compare athletically with the best athletes from a past era.
Thus I discovered, that way before the fast 1940s, *** Cavill (Aus) and Freddy Lane (Aus) broke one minute in 100 yards, in 1902, with a style still not perfectly refined.
In 1907, Charles Daniels (US), in a today's freestyle with a 6-beat kick, swam 100 yards in 55.4.
His best 100 yards free, was in 1910 at 54.8.
In 1908 in the Olympic Games, he swam a 100 meters, in 1:05.6, good for gold.
His best 100 meter free, was in 1910 at 1:02.8.
Looking at pictures of Daniels, 6'3", 190 pounds, at pictures of Cecil Healy (Aus/NZL) who swam 1:04.6 in 1912 Olympics, at pictures from 1904 of Goodwin (US), Ruddy (US), Handley (US), and at pictures of 6'1/2" Kahanamoku (US) from 1912, I think they would easily fit in a today's environment for top world swimming.
So much for thinking that all people from past eras were weaklings compared with today's people:
they, even when not removed from their past environment but more so if transplanted in a today's environment, would kick many of today's people rears.
Charles Daniels was tall for his era. Probably, the average male american of europeian stock was only around 5'7" in the early part of the 20th century. I do know that both american presidents Washington and Lincoln were tall and also over 6 foot. In my state of Arizona, I know of two ex-olympians doing masters. C Taylor a breastroker from 1948 and Jane Swagerty Hill, a backstroker from 1968. In C taylor's day, a women from the Netherlands won the 200 meter breastroke at 2:57.2. In today's world, some 9 or 10 year old girl probably holds the american record for 9-10 year olds at a faster time. How girls at that age that are small are able to beat several teenagers and adults I don't understand. I did meet Lance Larson when I was on a team in Hunington Beach years ago and he was in the Rome olympics.
Also, I was remembering a funny size to olympic swimming. Anyone remember the first olympics TV movie about the olympics in Athens in 1896. The us swimmer didn't want to swim because the lake was cold. His track teammates pushed him into the lake. Remains me of some of the pools I swam in as a teenager. Some of them were pretty cold.
Well, since there were no olympics in 1940, I don't guess most of the world heard about Patty Aspinall or would even know if I spelled her surname correctly. But, since it was enough before June Krauser's time, she was the only swimmer that we Hoosiers were aware of in those days.
Last time I looked Patty was alive & well as Patty Reel. I am new to this forum and in 90-94 age group but had daughter with Patty at the Riviera Club. Tom Haver tgir2@cox.net
I guess I'm a *younger* masters swimmer at 37 but I just finished the book America's Girl: The Incredible Story of How Swimmer Gertrude Ederle Changed the Nation. That is one tough cookie! In 1926 she was the first woman to make it across the English Channel AND she also broke the men's record. She overcame everything from incompetent coaches; a failed first attempt; the tough seas, cold waters, sharks and weather conditions; leaky goggles; terrible swim suit issues; gender discrimination; and she was almost deaf to boot! No need for me to be reminded to never whine about anything that goes on during swim practice. Sheesh!!! I need to HTFU!
I understand she actually invented the 2 piece suit by ripping the middle out of her suit because it chafed too much.
I guess there are lots of books about Ederle lately. I just read one a few months ago called "The Great Swim" by Gavin Mortimer. Ederle was the focus, but Mortimer also spends a fair amount of time on the other ladies who made attempts that same summer.
When Ederle completed her swim it was a huge story, yet sadly Ederle really wasn't able to capitalize on her new found fame all that well. I believe she died destitute.
Last time I looked Patty was alive & well as Patty Reel. I am new to this forum and in 90-94 age group but had daughter with Patty at the Riviera Club. Tom Haver tgir2@cox.net
Sounds as if the Riviera Club was a fun place to be - rather an all-encompassing club, if I read your post correctly.
