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Fact of the Day

Oct 15, 1998

ETHELDA FRACTURES FANNY'S FAMED "FREESTROKE" MARK... IN FACILE FASHION
At the Antwerp Olympic Games, August 25th, 1920, Ethelda Bleibtrey of the Women's Swimming Association of New York, won the 100 metres "Freestroke" in 1 min. 13 3/5 seconds, thus taking no fewer than 6 1/5 seconds off the Olympic mark set by Australia's Fanny Durack at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

Not satisfied, Ethelda came back three days later, this time to clip 9 3/5seconds off the Olympic 300 metres "Freestroke" record with a clocking of 4:24.0. Margaret Woodridge of Detroit was second, far behind in 4:42.5 but, nevertheless, also under the old Olympic mark. Eleanor Uhl of Philadephia who came fifth, caused a stir when she collapsed at the finish, but was soon revived.