Profession: Swimmer
Biography: Ethelda Bleibtrey was an American competition swimmer and Olympic champion. She is notable for her success in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, where she won three gold medals. She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1967.
Bleibtrey began swimming as physical therapy after contracting polio. Her natural talent in the water soon emerged, and she became a competitive swimmer. She made headlines even before the Olympics by getting arrested for "nude swimming" because she removed her stockings at a public pool, defying the norms of the era.
In the 1920 Olympics, Bleibtrey participated in the only three women's swimming events and won gold medals in all of them: the 100-meter freestyle, the 300-meter freestyle, and as a member of the 4×100-meter freestyle relay team. Her victories were instrumental in expanding opportunities for women in competitive swimming.
Born: February 27, 1902
Birthplace: Waterford, New York, USA
Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Tiger
Star Sign: Pisces
Historical Events
- 1920-08-25 Ethelda Bleibtrey leads an American medal sweep of the Antwerp Olympics women's 100m freestyle with a world record 1:13.6; first US female Olympic champion
- 1920-08-28 Ethelda Bleibtrey leads an American medal sweep of the Antwerp Olympic women's 300m freestyle with a world record swim of 4:34.0
- 1920-08-29 Ethelda Bleibtrey wins her 3rd gold medal of the Antwerp Olympics; teams with Irene Guest, Frances Schroth & Margaret Woodbridge in American 4 x 100m freestyle relay team; world record 5:11.6
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