Daisy Curwen Explained

Daisy Curwen
Full Name:Margaret Daisy Curwen
Nationality:British
Sport:Swimming
Birth Date:6 December 1889
Birth Place:Liverpool, England
Death Place:Wallasey, England

Daisy Curwen (6 December 1889  - 25 June 1982) was a former British swimmer world record holder in the 100 m freestyle.[1] Curwen competed at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, but could not start in the final race any more due to an appendectomy during the event.[2]

Biography

Curwen was born in December 1889 in Liverpool, England.[2] She began swimming with her local club in Liverpool when she was 13.[2] Between 1903 and 1917, Curwen won the Liverpool and District 100 yards freestyle event fourteen times.[2] Curwen broke the world record for the 100 metres freestyle twice, first in September 1911 and again in June 1912.[2] [3] She also set six more world records in events from the 100 to 300 yards.[4]

At the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden, Curwen competed in the women's 100 metre freestyle event.[5] In her heat, Curwen set a new Olympic record.[5] She went on to qualify for the final of the race, but was unable to start, after suffering with appendicitis which required surgery.[5] [6] As a result, Curwen also missed an opportunity to swim in the women's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay race,[2] where Great Britain won the gold medal.[7]

Curwen did not compete in swimming after World War I.[2] She died in Wallasey in June 1982 at the age of 92.[2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Miss Curwen with a new world record . Pay Up Liverpool . 30 May 1912 . 30 May 2022.
  2. Web site: Daisy Curwen . Olympedia . 30 May 2022.
  3. News: WOMEN'S SWIMMING RECORD.; Miss Daisy Curwen Does 100 Meters In 1:23 1-5 In Olympic Trial . The New York Times . 11 May 1912 . 30 May 2022.
  4. Web site: MERSEYSIDE'S 100 OLYMPIANS 100 No 99: DAISY CURWEN . The Free Library . 30 May 2022.
  5. Web site: 100 metres Freestyle, Women . Olympedia . 30 May 2022.
  6. Web site: Merseyside Olympian number 99: Daisy blossomed but missed out on Olympic medal . Liverpool Echo . 18 April 2012 . 30 May 2022.
  7. Web site: 4 x 100 metres Freestyle Relay, Women . Olympedia . 30 May 2022.