ISHOF Honoree Eldon Godfrey receives Canada’s Highest Honor
Order of Canada presented to Honoree Eldon C. Godfrey
2012 ISHOF Honor Contributor, Eldon Godfrey recently received the Order of Canada. One June 27, 2019, her Excellency, the Right Hounourable Julie Rayette, Governor General of Canada, announced it’s new appointments to the Order of Canada. The new members list included 21 Officers (O.C.), of which Godfrey was one. Recipients will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony to be held at a later date.
About the Order of Canada
Created in 1967, the Order of Canada is one of Canada’s highest honours. Presented by the Governor General, the Order honours people whose service shapes their society, whose innovations ignite the imagination, and whose compassion unites their communities.
Close to 7,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order of Canada. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and have taken to heart the motto of the Order “DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM” (“They desire a better country”). The striking six-point white enamel insignia they wear symbolizes their northern heritage and their diversity, because no two snowflakes are alike.
Appointments are made by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada. For more information about the Order of Canada or to nominate, visit: www.gg.ca/en/honours
Congratulations Eldon!
How an American Swimmer Melted the Ice of the Cold War
In 1987, Lynne Cox convinced Mikhail Gorbachev to let her swim across the Bering Strait between the U.S.A. and the USSR. In doing so, she demonstrated to both superpowers how close their people really were, and helped to thaw Cold War relations.
The U.S. – Soviet Border
In the middle of the Bering Strait, the border between the Diomede Islands – Soviet Big Diomede and U.S. Little Diomede – was known as the “ice curtain”. This is the only border the U.S. shares with Russia. This border is also the International Date Line so Lynne’s swim was truly a journey in to the future.
Before a shift in Soviet and U.S. policy in 1948, indigenous Inupiat tribes had been hunting, fishing, and moving between these islands for thousands of years. But as Cold War tensions rose, native people were stripped of their lands, traditions, and the friendships they had made across the border, as Big Diomede was turned into a Soviet military reservation.
About Lynne Cox
In 1971, at the age of 14, Lynne Cox swam across the Catalina Channel, and at 15 and 16, she made record-breaking swims across the English Channel, each time breaking both men’s and women’s records for swimming from England to France. In 1975, Lynne became the first woman to cross the Cook Strait, between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The next year she became the first person to swim the Strait of Magellan, and the first to swim around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. It was after these swims that she envisioned swimming across the Bering Strait, from Little Diomede, Alaska, U.S.A. to Big Diomede, Siberia, USSR. But first, Lynne had to secure special permission from the Soviet government. Over the course of 11 years, she wrote to four different Soviet leaders: Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, Konstantin Chernenko, and Mikhail Gorbachev. Her only response came from the latter. Approval from President Gorbachev was received only one day before Lynne was planning to swim.
The Swim
On August 7, 1987, thirty-year-old Lynne jumped into the icy water off Alaska’s Little Diomede wearing swimsuit, cap, and goggles, and swam toward the Soviet border. In addition to making athletic history, her swim was dedicated to scientific purposes – so that a research team could examine her body’s reaction to cold water.
At the midway point, a 20-foot Soviet vessel joined her escort boats. Although the distance was only 2.7 miles, due to the strong current Lynne had to swim over five miles for two hours and six minutes to reach the Soviet Union. Her hands turned grey and her limbs stiffened in the 38-degree water. Not only was she the first person to accomplish this daring feat, she also succeeded in bringing the Soviets and Americans closer together.
The Reception
When she reached shore, Lynne was warmly greeted by about 30 Russians including regional government officials, members of the KGB, and Soviet Olympic athletes. They escorted her to a platform where a picnic had been prepared, with samovars of tea and biscuits, and presented her with flowers and a pair of handmade slippers. As Lynne answered journalists’ questions she started cooling down and was about to go into hypothermia when a Soviet doctor, Rita Zakharova, led her into a charcoal-heated tent and covered her with hot water bottles and a sleeping bag. Then, remarkably, the doctor embraced Lynne to warm her. “To have this human contact,” said Lynne in an interview with the BBC, “after so many years growing up afraid of the Soviets – and here was this person basically warming me up to get me back to life again.” As a special surprise, the Soviets invited Inupiat natives to the gathering where they sang folk songs as Lynne recovered.
The Seal Skin Slippers
When Lynne was presented with the slippers, an interpreter explained that they were made from seal skins and had been hand sewn for her by an Inupiat woman whose family had lived on Big Diomede Island, USSR, until they were removed by the Soviets and relocated to the Siberian mainland. She had gone to the trouble to learn Lynne’s shoe size and they fit perfectly. “While the slippers were warm,” Lynne says, “they were extremely slippery, making it difficult to walk on the icy rocks and snow to the warming tent.”
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
Four months after her historic feat, the U.S. and the USSR reached an agreement to eliminate their short and intermediate-range missiles. During the ceremony at the White House in Washington, Gorbachev led everybody in lifting their glasses for a toast:
“Last summer it took one brave American by the name of Lynne Cox just two hours to swim from one of our countries to the other. We saw on television how sincere and friendly the meeting was between our people and the Americans when she stepped onto Soviet shore. She proved by her courage how close to each other our peoples live.
World-renowned Swimmer Lynne Cox arrives at the 2003 Glamour “Women of the Year” Awards at the American Museum of Natural History, Nov. 10, 2003 in New York City. AFP
Not only is Lynne an accomplished open water swimmer, she is a New York Times bestselling author and highly-regarded motivational speaker. She has called her Bering Strait swim- “the most significant experience of her life.”
www.lynnecox.com
Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame Announces Induction Class of 2019
by ANDY ROSS
21 June 2019, 12:55pm
The Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame (MISHOF), formerly know as IMSHOF, is proud to announce the 2019 class of Honorees. This group of nine (9) outstanding individuals will be inducted on Friday evening, September 13th, 2019, beginning with a cocktail reception at 6:00 p.m, followed by the induction ceremony at 7:00 p.m. This year’s event will be held at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch, in conjunction with the 2019 United States Aquatic Sports Convention. The prestigious MISHOF class of 2019 includes five swimmers, one diver, one synchronized (artistic) swimmer, one water polo player and one contributor, from five (5) different countries. The countries include, the USA, Lithuania, Canada, Brazil and Japan.
The Event is Open to the Public and Free of Charge Book Your Hotel
NEW MASTERS INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME SWIMMERS:
RICK COLELLA (USA)
Rick Colella competed in the 1972 Munich and the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. It was in Montreal that he won a bronze medal in the men’s 200m breaststroke. Not surprisingly, swimming remained a key part of his exercise routine after Olympic competition. As time progressed, Colella eventually became involved in Masters swimming.
He went on to set a total of 47 FINA Masters world records spanning six age group categories (40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69). He has been in the Top Ten 15 times and still holds the world record in the 100m breaststroke in the 60-64 age group that he set in 2011.
Colella says, “Since I was about eight, I’ve been swimming because I find it fun, I want to stay fit, and I have a great group of friends in swimming.” And, to add to that, “even after all these years, there’s always something new to learn!”
AMBROSE “ROWDY” GAINES (USA)
Rowdy Gaines is a household name if you’re a fan of swimming. As a sprint freestyler, he broke the world record in the 100 and the 200m freestyle in the early 1980’s and went on to win three gold medals in the 1984 L.A. Olympic Games. Two of the medals were world records, as he anchored for 400 free and 400 medley relays.
Today, Rowdy is often referred to as “Swimmings’ Greatest Ambassador” and is known as the “voice of swimming.” He’s been calling swimming meets at the Olympic Games, NCAA Championships and virtually every swimming event that is televised in America for the past thirty-two years. He makes swimming exiting and is known for his insightful commentaries and astute observations about today’s champions.
Although most people know Rowdy today for his voice, what many people overlook is that he has been swimming Masters since 1988. Gaines first competed when the legendary Tiger Holmes, ISHOF Gold Medallion Winner, asked him to be a part of his Masters team for the trip to the FINA Masters World Championships in Australia. Since that time, Rowdy has broken 26 FINA Masters World Records (19 long course and 7 short course) and has competed in four different age groups. Gaines has been in the Top Ten 17 times.
The longevity of some of his world records is incredible. His longest standing world record is his 200m freestyle in the 30-34 age group that was set in 1989 and is still standing after 20 years.
WILLARD LAMB (USA)
In high school, Willard “Wink” Lamb set a Washington state record in the 220 yard freestyle. The event was discontinued a few years later, so that’s one record he knows will never be broken.
A few of the Masters world records he has set recently might also stand the test of time. Lamb set 17 world records in 2017 (11 events) in the 95-99 age group. In
long course, he broke every freestyle and backstroke record. For the 50-100-200 back, he set Masters standards for his age group of 58.63 (first 95-99-year-old to break
a minute). In short course, he added records in the 100 and 400 free.
Between high school and his glut of Masters world records, Lamb was out of the pool most of his life. Drafted into the Army after one year at the University of Washington, he became a paratrooper in the Pacific theater of World War II. He did not return to swimming until he retired in 2002, and he began competing in 2006—when he was 83 years old!
He has never stopped, and as long as he stays healthy, he has no plans to do so. He will even keep swimming the 1500 free.“I swim a mile every day, so you kind of keep in shape for distance,” Lamb said.“I figure, swimming a mile, I might as well enter the 1500.”
Willard has swam in four age groups (80-84 through 95-99) and has set 58 FINA world records, 12 Long Course and 32 Short Course. His world records are mostly in the Freestyle, and Backstroke but has set a few in the I.M. He has been named to the Top Ten 26 times.
CAROLINE KRATTLI (USA)
Caroline Krattli became involved in Masters swimming in early 1998 at the age of 36. She was a successful age-group swimmer growing up and once she got back in the pool in her mid-30’s, it felt so natural that it sparked the urge to swim in Masters competition. Krattli has 38 FINA Masters world records, competing in five age groups. She has been in the Top Ten a total of 15 times. Early on, while swimming in the 35-39 age group, Krattli broke the world record in the 200m breaststroke (short course). That record stood for 11 years. Krattli competed in the 2002 FINA Masters World Championships, where she came away with five gold medals.
In 2012, Krattli was diagnosed with a reoccurrence of a medical issue which affected her swimming success. While battling this syndrome (PTS-neuralgic amyotrophy), she continued swimming, and in 2017 despite her respiratory issues, she competed at the USMS Nationals in Riverside. Krattli set seven USMS national records and one FINA Masters world record for the 55-59 age group.
SATOKO TAKEUJI (Japan)
Satoko Takeuji is a backstroke swimmer from Japan who competes in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke events and her Masters career has spanned 33 years. Takeuji has competed in six (1986, 1988, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2006) FINA Masters World Championships, winning gold in all ten events that she entered. She has been in the Top Ten 31 times and has swum in a total of nine age groups.
Takeuji has set 40 FINA Masters world records, 10 of them lasted for five or more years. In 1992, she had a stellar year in the 50-54 age group, setting long course world records for all three distances, the 50m, 100m, and the 200m. Satoko even dropped the 50m record by almost two-and-one-half seconds. She went from 37.18 down to 34.87. The record stayed on the books until it was broken by legendary ISHOF and MISHOF Honoree, Laura Val, in 2001, nearly 20 years later. In 2017, Satoko was runner-up in Swimming World magazine’s Top 12 World Masters Swimmers of the Year.
NEW MASTERS INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME DIVERS:
ASTA GIRDAUSKIENE (Lithuania)
Asta Girdauskiene has been competing in the FINA Masters World Championships in the sport of diving since 2000. She began her Masters career in the 40-44 age group and today is competing in the 55-59 age group. Asta has won a total of ten gold, five silver, and five bronze medals since her career began. Girdauskiene has also set three world records on the 10m platform. Her first world record was in 2004, in the 40-44 age group. The second world record was in 2010, the 50-54 age group and the most recent in 2015, the 55-59 age group. Asta has also won numerous medals in the LEN (Ligue Europeenne de Natation) Championships
She in not only involved in diving as an athlete, but is a judge at FINA Masters World Championships. She is currently a coach at the Kaunas swim school in Kaunas, Lithuania.
NEW MASTERS INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMERS:
MARJORIE ANDERSON (Canada)
Synchronized swimming was recently renamed Artistic Swimming by FINA. Marjorie Anderson did not begin competing until she was in her 20’s and got hooked on the sport after watching the University of Alberta’s synchro team train and compete in university competitions. Her first competition was the World Masters Games, held in Toronto in 1985. Anderson first struck gold in the team competition. She continued swimming and competing, attending eight FINA World Championships between the years, 1994-2017. In 1994, Anderson went on to win a gold medal in the duet competition, and two silvers in solo and team competitions the next time the World Championships came back to Canada.
Marjorie has been a fixture at or near the top of the standings at FINA Worlds ever since. In addition to competing, she has been coach of the Edmonton Aquadettes for the past 10 years and is a Level 2 judge for the sport.
NEW MASTERS INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME IN WATER POLO:
JOAO “PEPITO” MEIRELLES (Brazil)
Joao, better known as Pepito, was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1964. He began playing water polo in his early teens. As a member of the Brazilian National team, he won bronze medals at the 1987 and 1991 Pan American Games.
In 1994 at the age of 31, Meirelles decided to return to the pool and return to playing water polo. The country of Brazil had no history of organized Masters water polo before 1995. Pepito got the Masters back together and in the water. He was one of the founders of the AMPA (Associacao Master de Polo Aquatico) Masters Water Polo in Brazil. Meirelles now serves as President of the association. The AMPA serves as the organizer of Masters water polo tournaments and events in Brazil. Thanks to Meirelles, there are now teams in almost every major city in Brazil. In recent FINA Masters World Championships, there have even been six or seven Brazilian teams entered in the different age groups.
In addition to bringing Masters Water polo to Brazil, Pepito competes with the team, Masters Old Fellows. They have competed in ten FINA Masters World Championships since 1996, beginning in the 30+ age group and are currently competing in 50+. The team won bronze medals in 2000, 2004 and 2008 championships, and a silver medal in 2006.
NEW MASTERS INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME CONTRIBUTOR:
JIM MILLER (USA)
Dr. Jim Miller’s contributions to aquatics are remarkable in their length and scope. He has contributed over 40 years as a physician, executive leader, and coach. Miller has served all five disciplines in the FINA family to promote health, safety, and fitness.
Beyond the depth of his contributions to aquatic sports, Miller has left an indelible mark on Masters swimming. Following in the footsteps of U.S. Masters Swimming founder, Capt. Ransom J. Arthur, M.D., Miller served as President of U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) from 2001-2005. During his tenure, he helped the organization switch from an all-volunteer organization to one that was professionally managed by a paid staff. In addition, he was key to hiring the first generation of USMS Executive Directors who currently serve over 65,000 members.
About MISHOF
The purpose of the MISHOF is to promote a healthy lifestyle, lifelong fitness, and participation in adult aquatic programs. MISHOF recognizes the achievements of individuals who have participated in Masters programs through at least four different masters age groups. Most must pre-qualify by an objective point system based on world records performances, world top 10 rankings and World Championship performances. The MISHOF is a division of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information, please visit: www.ishof.org
About ISHOF
The International Swimming Hall of Fame, Inc. (ISHOF), established in 1965, is a not-for-profit educational organization located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. It was first recognized by FINA, the International Olympic Committee’s recognized governing body for the aquatic sports, in 1968. ISHOF’s mission is to collaborate with aquatic organizations worldwide to preserve, educate and celebrate history, showcase events, share cultures, and increase participation in aquatic sports.
For more information, call Meg-Keller-Marvin at 570 594-4367 or e-mail: meg@ishof.org or visit www.ishof.org
ISHOF Honoree Hilda James and Gloria Vanderbilt
HILDA JAMES AND GLORIA VANDERBILT
With the recent death of Gloria Vanderbilt, we wanted to share this interesting story.
Hilda James of Great Britain was inducted into ISHOF in 2016. Her grandson, Ian McAllister, wrote the story of her life, Lost Olympics, a fascinating story. It is available on Amazon or at: http://tinyurl.com/y27xqfkj
One story that was not including in Lost Olympics was the story of Hilda James and Gloria Vanderbilt. It is below.
GLORIA VANDERBILT – LOST OLYMPICS (NOT IN THE BOOK) by Ian McAllister.
I only wrote about people still living with their express permission. In 2011 while I was writing Lost Olympics, I tried without success to contact Gloria Vanderbilt to ask for her blessing to include this story in the book. Neither Gloria nor her son Anderson Cooper responded to my requests, so this piece appeared on my page here instead. I am reprising it now as a tribute to Gloria Vanderbilt (1925-2019).
During one of Hilda James’ final Cunard cruises as Cruise Hostess aboard RMS Carinthia in late 1929, the ship hosted the heiress Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, accompanied by her entourage and her daughter, also named Gloria. Little Gloria was just five, and the only child aboard the entire ship. Largely ignored by her socialite mother, she found fun and laughter with many of the crew members and spent a lot of her time below decks where few guests visited. Little Gloria learned to swim with Hilda in the magnificent marble pool. She was apparently a natural and loved to spend hours playing in the water. The pair hosted a swimming show and demonstration for her mother and friends at the end of the cruise. Hilda told me she was a natural swimmer.
On arrival back in New York City, the five-year-old was so upset to be leaving her new-found friends, that Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt summarily instructed Hilda James to leave Cunard and take up employment with the family to help look after her daughter. Hilda’s life may have turned out very differently if she had accepted, but the Cruise Hostess already had an inkling that Senior Wireless Officer Hugh McAllister was about to propose. Hilda was confident enough to refuse an extremely generous financial offer from the Vanderbilt’s, at that time the richest family in America.
Used to getting her own way at the mere snap of her fingers, the heiress was so incensed at this refusal by a company employee that she demanded Cunard fire their celebrity crew member immediately. Sir Percy Bates was having none of that! She also refused to allow Hilda to keep in touch with Little Gloria, even though the child begged her mother to ask Hilda to visit them and take her swimming when she was in New York. They were never to meet again.
Gloria Vanderbilt, Hilda James, unknown man
The photograph shows Little Gloria and Hilda James in the pool aboard Carinthia. I do not know who the man is, but I suspect he is part of the Vanderbilt party. He is not Little Gloria’s father Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt, as he had died when the child was just 18 months old. Many years ago, Hilda wrote on the left of the photograph in biro “Gloria Vanderbilt”.
HILDA JAMES – ISHOF Honoree Bio
ISHOF Bio for Hilda James
To avoid attending the Church of England religious education classes, which conflicted with her parents’ religious beliefs, this 11-year-old Liverpudlian was assigned to swimming classes at the Garston Baths.
Five years later, Hilda James was Great Britain’s best female swimmer and left for the 1920 Olympic Games with high expectations. Unfortunately, in Amsterdam, the USA women completely dominated, sweeping gold, silver and bronze medals in the 100m and 300m freestyle, the only individual swimming events for women at the 1920 Games. And while the British did win silver in the 4 x 100m relay, they did finish a full 30 seconds behind the Americans. The following day, Hilda cheekily asked the American Coach, Lou de B. Handley, to teach her the American crawl.
In 1922, Hilda was invited by her American friends to visit the USA for the Summer racing season. While she was still behind the American stars, Helen Wainwright and Gertrude Ederle, she was closing the gap.
By 1924, Hilda held every British and European freestyle record from 100 meters to the mile, and a handful of world records as well. She easily made the 1924 Olympic team, and it was widely believed that she would return from Paris with a handful of medals. When Hilda’s mother insisted she accompany her daughter as chaperone, and the British Olympic Committee refused, Hilda’s mother refused to let her go. Unfortunately, Hilda was not yet 21, was under the care of her parents-she had to obey.
Hilda turned 21 shortly after the Olympic Games, gained her independence, took a job with the Cunard Shipping Company, traveling the world as a celebrity spokesperson, at a time when women were just starting to gain their freedom.
We will never know how Hilda would have fared in the 1924 Olympic Games, but she was a trailblazer and one of Europe’s first female sports superstars who inspired future generations of girls to follow in her wake.
For more information on Hilda James, we highly recommend, Lost Olympics.
2019 ISHOF Honoree Weekend
ISHOF hosted the Class of 2019 Honorees and award winners, May 17-19, 2019 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the 55th annual ISHOF Induction weekend.
The weekend kicked off Friday evening, May 17th with the 24th Annual Paragon Awards, sponsored by Pentair Aquatic Systems. The Paragon Awards are presented annually to individuals or organizations for outstanding contributions to aquatics in six categories.
The Paragon Award winners included Greg Eggert, Competitive Swimming, Bill Farrar, Diving, Carvin DiGiovanni, Recreational Swimming, Peter Davis, Aquatic Safety, Don Holbrook, Water Polo and Igor Kartashov for Synchronized Swimming.
2019 Paragon and Award Winners
Other award winners for the evening included, Ruth Meyer who received the John K. Williams Jr. International Adapted Aquatics Award; Jim Wood was given the Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously and was represented by his sister, Terry Commodore and his brother, Bob Wood. David S. Duda was awarded the Judge G. Harold Martin Award, and Robert Strauss was presented the Virginia Hunt Newman Award. Dale Petranech received the ISHOF Service Award for his many, many years of help and friendship to the Hall of Fame.
Peter Bick received the Al Schoenfield Media Award. Peter is a photographer who has taken many fabulous photos for numerous magazines, including Sports Illustrated, Time and Swimming World.
Carolyn Wood received the Buck Dawson Authors Award for her book, “Tough Girl”.
Dr. Joe MacInnis
Dr. Joe MacInnis
On Saturday morning, 2019 ISHOF Gold Medallion Recipient, Dr. Joe MacInnis gave us a preview
of his underwater world and was the speaker at the luncheon. MacInnis, a speaker for numerous Fortune 500 companies, gave ISHOF guests a special treat. He spoke on leadership in high risk environments, telling stories of his adventures and expeditions.
The 55th annual Induction ceremony began Saturday evening at 6:00 pm at the Ft. Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa. 2019 marked the second year ISHOF has had a successful silent auction. With donations from swimming legends like Caleb Dressel, Natalie Coughlin, Anthony Ervin and Jason Lezak, just to name a few, the ISHOF Silent Auction was a huge hit among ISHOF guests and swimming enthusiasts that were able to bid online.
A special thank you to all those who donated to our 2019 Silent Auction. Besides swimming memorabilia, we had exciting items, like a 7-day vacation in Cabo San Lucas, thanks to the generosity of Drury Gallagher, an African Safari, A Napa Valley wine excursion and much more.
The ISHOF Silent Auction will now be an annual event during the Honoree weekend and a major fund-raising opportunity for ISHOF. Please consider ISHOF if you have any items that you might to donate for next year’s event. Contact Meg Keller-Marvin at 570.594.4367 or meg@ishof.org if you would like to be part of the silent auction.
This year’s Induction Class of 2019 included four swimmers, Jason Lezak (USA), Stephanie Rice (AUS), Britta Steffen (GER) and Otylia Jegrzejczak (POL); one diver, Li Ting (CHN); one synchronized swimmer, Olga Sedakova (RUS); one water polo player, Alessandro Campagna (ITA); one coach, Boris Popov (RUS); one open water swimmer, Marcella MacDonald (USA); one contributor, Dr. Ferenc Salamon (HUN) and one Pioneer, Alfred Nakache* (FRA). The Gold Medallion recipient for 2019 was Dr. Joseph MacInnis.
Jason Lezak and son Ryan
The class of 2019 begins with the swimmer who anchored one of the most memorable races in history. Jason Lezak has competed in four Olympic games, 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012, and has won eight Olympic medals, four gold, two silver, and two bronze. Lezak will always be remembered as the anchor of the U.S. 4×100m freestyle relay team that won the gold medal and set a new world record at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Lezak’s split a 46.06, is the fastest 100m freestyle split in history by nearly six-tenths of a second.