Ethelda bleibtrey biography for kids
Biography for kids video.
Ethelda Bleibtrey
American swimmer (1902–1978)
Ethelda Marguerite Bleibtrey (February 27, 1902 – May 6, 1978), also known by her married name Ethelda Schlatke, was an American competition swimmer for the Women's Swimming Association, a three-time world record breaking 1920 Olympic gold medalist, and a former world record-holder in multiple events.
Ethelda bleibtrey biography for kids
She was one of the first women to compete in swimming in the Olympics, the first woman to win an Olympic swimming title, and the first woman to ever win three Olympic gold medals.[1]
Early life and activism
Bleibtrey was born in Waterford, New York,[2] to John and Maggie Bleibtrey.[3] She started swimming to help recover from polio, which she contracted in 1917.
Bleibtrey swam for the Women's Swimming Association (WSA) of New York, founded by Charlotte Epstein in 1917, and coached by Louis Handley, a former 1904 Olympic gold medalist in swimming and water polo. Epstein would also manage the 1920 U.