Celebrating Women's History Month

Breaking Down Barriers: Celebrating the Achievements of Women in Swimming and Beyond

It's currently Women's History Month, and I want to express my gratitude to all the women who have paved the way for us. There are countless women who deserve recognition for their contributions to society, but I'd like to focus on my lifelong passion for swimming.

Donna de Varona with Sharon Finneran at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo

The Struggle of Women Swimmers for Olympic Recognition

Women made their debut in swimming at the Olympics in 1912, where Fanny Durack from Australia became the first female Olympic swimming champion in the 100m freestyle event that took place in Stockholm, Sweden. She established 11 world records during her career from 1911 to 1917. However, due to the "long skirt rule," American women were not permitted to compete until 1920 because of sexism. James E. Sullivan, who was in charge of the American Olympic Committee and the American Athletic Union, refused to allow American women to participate earlier because they were required to wear full-length skirts, which made swimming impossible. Therefore, we must appreciate and acknowledge Fanny Durack for leading the way for all female swimmers out there.

Breaking Barriers and Making History in Women's Swimming Coaching

Teri McKeever made history as the first female head coach of the U.S. Olympic women's swimming team during the London Olympics. She achieved this honor by coaching the University of California swimming team, leading them to three NCAA championships, and guiding Natalie Coughlin to win 11 Olympic medals over ten years. In December 2010, Teri was selected to be the head coach of the 2012 U.S. women's national swim team for the Olympics. This made her the first woman ever to lead a U.S. women's national swim team in the Olympics. I am grateful to her for paving the way for me and countless other women swimming coaches. It took one hundred years from the first women Olympic swimmers to having a female Olympic head coach. It may surprise many of you to know that the 2012 Olympic Games set a new benchmark in Olympic history. For the first time, men and women were able to compete in an equal number of swimming events. This made the event even more special as London hosted the Olympics for the third time.

Women's Perseverance in Breaking Barriers and Paving the Way for Future Generations

When a woman stands up to comments like "Listen here, missy" with a man's finger waving in her face, or a man in a parking lot telling her, "This is what's wrong with the world - women like you," she doesn't just poke a hole in the glass ceiling, she shatters it. Women have faced and continue to face dense obstacles, but their perseverance has paved the way for future generations. To all the women out there, we owe you our gratitude and respect!

Woman Olympic Swimmers I admire

Fanny Durack (AUS) 1911 – 1917.

First ever women’s Olympic champion (1912) and She set 12 world records up until 1918, holding them in all the distances recognised by the International Swimming Federation.

Ethelda Bleibtrey (USA) 1919 – 1921.  

The only person in Olympic swimming history to win every single event.  Back in 1920, there were fewer swimming events (only three), but still impressive!

Gertrude Ederle (USA) 1919 – 1926.  

First woman to swim English Channel and broke the record of the fastest man by two hours.  Also held every freestyle world record (100 to 800 meters) in 1924.

Sybil Bauer (USA) 1921 – 1926.  

Only woman ever to break an existing men’s world record.  Broke the world record in backstroke 23 times!

Ragnhild Hveger (DEN) 1935 – 1954.  

Held the world record in all freestyle events simultaneously – some lasting 15 years.

Willy den Ouden (NED) 1931 – 1938.  

Held the world record in 100 meter freestyle for 23 years.  Also the first woman to break the one-minute barrier in the 100 yard freestyle.

Dawn Fraser (AUS) 1955 – 1964.  

One of Australia’s all-time most popular athletes and the 100 free world record holder for 16 years (1956-1972).

Donna de Varona (USA) 1960 – 1965.  

Starting at at 13 years old she set world records in eight different events across three different strokes and won 37 national titles, as well as two Olympic gold medals. Despite holding a world record in her best event, the 400-meter individual medley, it was not included in the Olympic program at the time due to sexist beliefs that women shouldn't exert themselves. However, when the event was finally added in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Donna won gold and set an Olympic record, beating the second-place finisher by an impressive six seconds. Sadly, despite her stellar swimming career, Donna's path forward was blocked as female athletes were not able to get college athletic scholarships at the time.

Claudia Kolb (USA) 1963 – 1968.  

Best all-around swimmer of her time.  Set 23 world records and won both Individual Medley events by wide margins.

Karen Muir (RSA) 1965 – 1969.  

Youngest swimmer to ever break a world record. Set 15 world records in backstroke events in a 4 year time span.

Debbie Meyer (USA) 1966 – 1971.  

First woman ever to win three individual gold medals at one Olympics.  Set 15 world records and was the first woman to break big barriers in distance freestyle events.  Was “World Swimmer of the Year” three years in a row.

Shirley Babashoff (USA) 1971 – 1976.  

One of the greatest female freestylers.  Held six world records, two Olympic golds, and seven silvers.

Tracy Caulkins (USA) 1976 – 1986.  

One of the most versatile swimmers ever setting 5 world records and 63 American records in EVERY stroke!  Also won 48 national titles, more than any other woman.  

Shane Gould (AUS) 1970 – 1973.  

Held 11 world records in every freestyle event (100 to 1500 and 200 IM).

Mary T. Meagher (USA) 1978 – 1988.  

Nicknamed Madame Butterfly due to her dominance in the butterfly events.  She held world records in both butterfly events from 1981 until 2000!  

Kristin Otto (GER) 1982 – 1988.  

First woman to win six gold medals at a single Olympic Games.

Janet Evans (USA) 1986-1996.  

Greatest female distance swimmer in history with world records in 400, 800 and 1500 freestyles that lasted until very recently (Katie Ledecky).

Krisztina Egerszegi (GER) 1987 – 1997.

Greatest female backstroker in history, winning the 200 backstroke in three successive Olympics.

Penny Heyns (RSA) 1994 – 2000.  

One of the greatest female breaststrokers in history.  First woman to win both breaststroke events in one Olympics.  The only swimmers to break four individual world records in one competition.

Jenny Thompson (USA) 1986 – 2004.  

Won 10 Olympic medals (eight gold) and two world records – 100 free in 1992 and 100 fly in 1999.

Dara Torres (USA) 1980 – 2008.  

First swimmer to represent the U.S. in five Olympic Games (1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2008) and the oldest swimmer to earn a place on the US Olympic team. Won 12 Olympic medals (four of each kind) and held world records in three events.

Amanda Beard (USA) 1996 – 2012.  

Second youngest Olympic medalist in American swimming history as a 14-year-old at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.  She won seven Olympic medals in her career (two gold, four silver, one bronze) and is a former world record holder in the 200-meter breaststroke.

Natalie Coughlin (USA) 2001 – 2016.  

First female athlete in modern Olympic history to win six medals in one Olympics and the first woman to win 100-meter backstroke gold in two consecutive Olympics.  With 12 Olympic medals, she is one of the most decorated female swimmers ever.

Allison Schmitt (USA) 2008 – 2016.  

Training partner with Michael Phelps, Schmitt won five medals at the 2012 Olympic Games (three gold, one silver, one bronze), setting a world record and an Olympic record in the process.

Missy Franklin (USA) 2010 – current.  

Five-time Olympic gold medalist and current world record holder in 200 meter backstroke, current American record holder in 100 and 200 backstroke

Katie Ledecky (USA) 2010 – current.  

One of the most dominant freestyle swimmers of all time. Five-time Olympic gold medalist and nine-time world champion.  Current world record holder in the 400, 800, and 1500 meter freestyle events.  Most decorated female athlete of the 2016 Olympic Games with four gold, one silver and two world records.