Olympic Champion and Open Water Queen Greta Andersen Dies aged 94

On February 6, 2023, the swimming world misplaced its 96-year-old longtime ambassador. Greta Andersen. One of many best swimmers of all time, Andersen burst onto the world stage when he received the gold medal within the 100m freestyle on the 1948 London Olympics. He was a nationwide hero when he returned to his residence in Copenhagen, Denmark.

After shifting from his hometown of Denmark to Lengthy Seashore, California in 1953, he realized he needed to earn a dwelling. met Tom ParkA record-breaking Catalina Channel swimmer who satisfied him he had what it took to be a profitable marathon swimmer.

Photograph Courtesy: ISHOF

In 1956, Andersen received the primary of seven Marathon swims Round Atlantic Metropolis. He then received the 50-mile Lake Michigan race from Chicago to Kenosha, Wisconsin. Andersen completed 10 miles forward of his closest competitor and took the $25,000 first prize. The next 12 months, he entered the primary Sir Billy Butlin Cross English Channel Marathon race. He received it once more in 1958, and after his third swim in 1959, Sir Billy awarded him the everlasting award.

Andersen has set 18 world marathon information throughout his profession. She was the primary lady to cross the English Channel 5 occasions – setting pace information in each instructions – and the primary particular person to swim the Santa Catalina Channel in each instructions… a feat that lasted virtually 27 hours with out stopping. She competed head-to-head with the lads, ending first, second, or third in each occasion and by no means misplaced to a different lady. She was the most important moneymaker in ladies’s skilled swimming historical past.

Assured, approachable and proficient, she made an enormous splash on the pool deck when she opened the Greta Andersen Swimming College in 1960 and has devoted her life to instructing youngsters be secure and assured swimmers within the water. “Instructing toddlers to not be afraid of water and introducing them to the enjoyable of swimming has been her best ardour since she obtained her PE diploma in Denmark within the Nineteen Forties.

Photograph Courtesy: ISHOF

All through her life, she has been an Olympic champion, world skilled marathon champion, world document holders from 150 yards to 50 miles, an inspiration to enterprise ladies, academics, and women and men all over the world. In 1964 she was inducted into the Worldwide Marathon Swimming Corridor of Fame and the Worldwide Swimming Corridor of Fame as an athlete. Honor Swimmer in 1969and in 2015 the Worldwide Swimming Corridor of Fame honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award.