Olympic Games gold medalist athlete, actress. Eleanor Holmes was a member of three United States Olympic Games swimming teams and became noted for winning the gold medal for one team and being banned from another. A champion swimmer, she was only 14 years old when she won her first swimming title. She qualified for the United States Women's Swimming Team in 1928 and competed in the Summer Olympic Games that year in Amsterdam, Netherlands, although she did not medal in any events. Aged 19, Holmes again qualified to compete in the 1932 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California. She won the gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke event, setting a then-Olympic Games record in 1st semifinal swim with a time of 1:18.3, then defeating Australian swimming champion Bonnie Mealing in the final. In 1936, she again qualified for the United States Olympic team but after a night of drinking on the SS Manhattan ocean liner transporting the team to Europe for the games, she was found passed out.
United States Olympic Committee President Avery Brundage then banned her from the team for her behavior. However, Eleanor Holm maintained she did not lose control and her banning was the result of a grudge Brundage had against her. After she returned to America, she forged a successful entertainment career, appearing in four motion pictures and in musical shows that featured her swimming talent. She was married three times, with her second marriage being to theatrical impresario Billy Rose from 1939 to 1954. She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1966.
United States Olympic Committee President Avery Brundage then banned her from the team for her behavior. However, Eleanor Holm maintained she did not lose control and her banning was the result of a grudge Brundage had against her. After she returned to America, she forged a successful entertainment career, appearing in four motion pictures and in musical shows that featured her swimming talent. She was married three times, with her second marriage being to theatrical impresario Billy Rose from 1939 to 1954. She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1966.
Olympic Games gold medalist athlete, actress. Eleanor Holmes was a member of three United States Olympic Games swimming teams and became noted for winning the gold medal for one team and being banned from another. A champion swimmer, she was only 14 years old when she won her first swimming title. She qualified for the United States Women's Swimming Team in 1928 and competed in the Summer Olympic Games that year in Amsterdam, Netherlands, although she did not medal in any events. Aged 19, Holmes again qualified to compete in the 1932 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California. She won the gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke event, setting a then-Olympic Games record in 1st semifinal swim with a time of 1:18.3, then defeating Australian swimming champion Bonnie Mealing in the final. In 1936, she again qualified for the United States Olympic team but after a night of drinking on the SS Manhattan ocean liner transporting the team to Europe for the games, she was found passed out.
United States Olympic Committee President Avery Brundage then banned her from the team for her behavior. However, Eleanor Holm maintained she did not lose control and her banning was the result of a grudge Brundage had against her. After she returned to America, she forged a successful entertainment career, appearing in four motion pictures and in musical shows that featured her swimming talent. She was married three times, with her second marriage being to theatrical impresario Billy Rose from 1939 to 1954. She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1966.
United States Olympic Committee President Avery Brundage then banned her from the team for her behavior. However, Eleanor Holm maintained she did not lose control and her banning was the result of a grudge Brundage had against her. After she returned to America, she forged a successful entertainment career, appearing in four motion pictures and in musical shows that featured her swimming talent. She was married three times, with her second marriage being to theatrical impresario Billy Rose from 1939 to 1954. She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1966.
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Age 91
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