13 Years Of American Swimming Dominance Came To An End In 1933, Will They Be Able To Regain It?

USA Swimming’s inquest for the next world leader is taking shape at the TYR Pro Series. Awaiting the final investiture in the Paris Olympics 2024, the nation’s best swimmers are chasing after a Swede. Sarah Sjöström’s dual world records in 50m and 100m freestyle are pricking at the hearts of the U.S. swimming legends. Could fans witness a resurgence of grace after a century?

In the 1920s, the Bohemian flappers from the United States dominated the swimming scene. Especially in the women’s 100m freestyle, where the consecutive nature of the records elicited frenzied queries about the swimming program. Now, with 2024 goggles on, the past glories have once again become the cynosure on social media.

USA Swimming’s past glories under the microscope

Co-founder and editor-in-chief of SwimSwam, Braden Keith, rewound the time machine and took everyone on a joyride to the early 1900s. In an X post, the media personality highlighted the achievements of the U.S. swimmers from the bygone era. He wrote, “9 consecutive World Records in the women’s 100 meter freestyle were set by American women from 1920 through 1933 after Australian Fanny Durack held the record from 1912 to 1920”. Ethelda Marguerite Bleibtrey broke the Australian’s streak at the 1920 Summer Olympics. She edged the pool of remarkable challengers in the 100m freestyle and comfortably reset the record with 1:13.6 seconds. Next, it was “America’s best girl”, Gertrude Ederle’s turn to carry the nation’s flag on the world stage. On June 30, 1923, she bettered her predecessor’s record with a swim of 1:12.8.

Mariechen Wehselau (1:12.2), Ethel Lackie (1:10.0), Eleanor Garatti (1:09.8), Albina Osipowich (1:09.4) and Helene Madison (1:06.6       ) were the subsequent torchbearers for the U.S. national swimming program. Braden Keith used Helene Madison’s iconic shot alongside Johnny Weissmuller, underscoring the pivotal moment when the glorious era of USA Swimming began to wane.

America’s loss of the crown

The riveting snap from 1932 caught Helene Madison and Johnny Weissmuller engaged in a friendly conversation. The duo had created many swimming records, and their correspondence inked a new chapter in the history of American Swimming. In 1930 and 1931, Helene Madison had successfully laid down two brand-new records in the 100m freestyle. Therefore, the fans anticipated no less from her at the 1932 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

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In a surprising twist, the freestyle swimmer floundered and collided against the lane divider. Notwithstanding this debacle, Madison sailed to the top berth of the podium comfortably. However, she could not reset the world record for the third time, ultimately losing it forever to Netherlands’ Willy den Ouden in 1933. Almost a century later, USA Swimming has yet to recover this honor. Will 2024 be any different?

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