Imagine someone in the early 1900s choosing her career based on her love found in her parents’ professions! A tough job in a phase that was plagued by two World Wars! But she marked each box. Her father taught her how to swim through turbulent waters and took her to major swimming contests in the USA. Meanwhile, from her mother, she learned how to find success in academics and stand up on her own. Surprisingly, she tasted success on every front and came out as an example. 

The swimmer, Iris Cummings, had her boastful appearance in swimming as an Olympian. Additionally, her success in academics met her ultimate purpose – aviation. A successful life in every way, right? Swimming fans, however, remember her for special reasons – reasons that made Iris easily notable in the crowd of Olympians. In the end, those reasons made it to the public again. 

The talented swimmer and overachiever individual is no more 

In the pages of American swimming history, there are a few occasions where the participants failed to earn notable results. The 1936 Berlin Olympics is a prominent example. After the 1932 edition in the home ground (Los Angeles), American swimmers had huge hopes to continue the momentum to the German capital. But the reality was heartbreaking. The women swimmers claimed three medals only. All remained the bronze medals. However, in the same Olympics, Iris Cummings made her entry. 

Witnessing the American swimmers headlining in the LA Olympics surely motivated the hometown girl. However, in Berlin, she couldn’t collect the expected result. Her 18th rank (3:21.9 seconds) eliminated her from the women’s 200m breaststroke prelims. Eventually, in 1939, Iris Cummings announced her retirement from competitive swimming and embarked on her authentic aptitude, which was aviation. But in the upcoming years, she was the only swimmer alive from the 1936 Olympics. However, as life turned out, after January 24, 2025, that milestone washed away. 

On January 28, a swimming fan handle on Reddit posted the sad news. The attached snapshot displayed, “Iris Cummings Crichell, oldest survivor of 1936 Olympics, dies at 104.” Last year, on December 21, Iris celebrated her 104th birthday, becoming the oldest living Olympic swimmer and American Olympian. But the lights went off on January 24 this year. She breathed her last in Claremont, California, and was declared dead in Harvey Mudd College. Each name in the events connects the episodes of her life that often found stations in swimming, the Civilian Pilot Training Program, and advanced aerobatics courses. 

Well, Iris was among the handful of American female swimmers in the Berlin Olympics. Also, in her post-swimming career, she was the only woman among 50 students in the USC College of Aeronautics! A superb character with some all-around performances! During the last hours, such milestones were remembered again in the wishes of swimming fans. 

The community bids goodbye to the legend 

The tag of being a legend doesn’t follow someone who doesn’t have victory at the Olympics. But Iris Cummings fit into that bracket for her relentless fight to claim the sky. The sky here brings every possible meaning. How? She made a significant impact on aviation during World War II by becoming a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, which was later merged into the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). She piloted a range of military planes, such as the P-38, P-51, and P-61 Black Widow, playing a crucial role in the war effort. Before embracing that life, she had already made her name as an Olympian. 

At 15, Iris was among the best names among the key American female 200m breaststroke swimmers. Her standout achievements opened the Olympic gate for her. The avid swimming fans surely know these facts. Counting on those landmarks, someone wrote on Reddit, “RIP to a legend.” The facts led another fan to pen, “She was such an amazing swimmer. She will be missed by everyone who was a fan of hers. Rip Iris Cummings.” The tag of legend, right? 

Also, someone wrote, “Must have been one hell of a swim! Rest in Peace, Iris.” Yes, it used to be. She claimed the national title in the women’s 200m breaststroke in 1936. The feat came only two years after her joining the Los Angeles Athletic Club. That makes her a phenomenal swimmer, right? However, per another swimming fan, the ticket for the 1936 Olympics made her a legend.

The fan’s comment read, “Survivor? Oh yes olympics are the hunger games. In any other sport you are a participant, but not olympics.” And Iris entered the Olympics, which had so many political question marks. How things come to a single point, proving her prominence. In the meantime, someone wrote, “Rest in Peace.” The old guard of the swimming and aviation worlds has left the turquoise water and blue sky.