Greta Andersen

Greta Andersen ( born May 1, 1927 in Copenhagen, Denmark ) is a former Danish swimmer and Olympic champion.

Career

At the Olympic Summer Games 1948 in London, she won the gold medal in the 100 m freestyle. With the Danish season they also reached the 2nd place 4 × 100 m freestyle. Four years later at the Summer Olympic Games in Helsinki, it was enough with the season only to 4th place as best result in an individual event she was eighth in the 400m freestyle.

At the European Swimming Championships in 1947 and 1950, she has twice won a bronze in the 100m freestyle.

Andersen has set the women's record time in the English Channel in both directions ( from France to England in eleven hours and one minute, and from England to France in 13 hours and ten minutes). She was also the first person who has the Santa Catalina Channel swum in both directions.

In 1949 she has set the world record for the 100 yards, was beaten until 1956. It has also set world records over 10 miles and over 25 miles.

Andersen was recorded in 1969 in the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale.