Andersen, Greta (1927–)

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Andersen, Greta (1927–)

Danish long-distance swimmer. Born May 1, 1927, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

At London Olympics, won a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle and a silver medal in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay (1948); set a world record for the 100 meters (58.2) that stood for 7 years; held 24 national titles and 4 European champion-ships; repeatedly beat men in long-distance swimming; defeated 27 swimmers in a 26-mile competition along the coast of Guaymas, Mexico (1958); placed 1st in 18-mile Lake St. John swim in Quebec with a time of 8:17; swam from US mainland to Catalina in 11:7, breaking Florence Chadwick's record; swam across Lake Michigan, a distance of 50 miles, further than any long-distance swimmer had gone (1962). Elected to International Swimming Hall of Fame (1969).

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Andersen, Greta (1927–)

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