Born: 1926 (San Francisco, California)
Died: 2012 (San Rafael, California)
Biography:
Ann Elisabeth Curtis, better known as Ann Curtis, was an American competition swimmer and a two-time Olympic champion. She was born in San Francisco, California on March 6, 1926. Curtis started her swimming journey at the age of 9, under the guidance of nuns while attending the Ursuline Convent boarding school in Santa Rosa. It was during this time that Curtis discovered her passion for the water.
As Curtis honed her skills, she began training under the renowned coach Charlie Sava as a member of the San Francisco Crystal Plunge swimming club. Her talent and dedication soon became evident, propelling her onto the national stage. In 1944, at the age of 18, Curtis made history by becoming the first woman, and also the first swimmer, to receive the prestigious James E. Sullivan Award. This accolade recognized her as the outstanding American amateur athlete of the year.
Curtis’ greatest achievements came at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, England. Competing in every freestyle swimming race available for women at the time, she showcased her remarkable skills. In the women’s 400-meter freestyle event, Curtis claimed her first Olympic gold medal. Not only did she win the race, but she also set an Olympic record, finishing with a margin of nearly four seconds.
While her victory in the 400-meter freestyle was a remarkable achievement, Curtis was determined to prove herself in the 100-meter freestyle event as well. Unfortunately, she had to settle for the silver medal, which left her feeling disappointed. Curtis later revealed that she felt like she had let down the world.
However, her spirits were lifted during the women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay. The United States was not favored to win, partly due to Curtis finishing second in the individual 100-meter event. As the anchor for the relay team, she took to the water with the United States team in third place. But with her extraordinary speed and determination, Curtis surpassed her competitors from Holland and Denmark, securing the gold medal for the US by a mere four-tenths of a second. In the process, she set another Olympic record.
Returning to San Francisco as a national hero, Curtis was honored with a parade along Market Street to celebrate her incredible achievements. Throughout her career, Curtis set five world records and an impressive 56 U.S. records. Her impact on the sport of swimming cannot be overstated.
After retiring from competitive swimming, Curtis chose to dedicate her life to teaching and sharing her passion with others. In 1959, she and her husband Gordon Cuneo, a former basketball player for Cal, opened the Ann Curtis Swim Club and School of Swimming. This allowed her to pass on her knowledge and inspire future generations of swimmers.
For her contributions to the sport, Curtis was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1966. In 1983, she was also honored with induction into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.
Ann Curtis lived a remarkable life, overcoming challenges and leaving an indelible mark on the world of swimming. She passed away at her home in San Rafael, California on June 26, 2012, but her legacy lives on as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a pioneer for women in sports.
Awards:
– James E. Sullivan Award (1944)
– Olympic Gold Medal: Women’s 400-meter freestyle (1948)
– Olympic Gold Medal: Women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay (1948)
– Olympic Silver Medal: Women’s 100-meter freestyle (1948)
– Induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame (1966)
– Induction into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame (1983)