Born: 1909 (Ceylon, British island colony, now Sri Lanka)
Biography:
Margaret Joyce Cooper, later known as Joyce Badcock, was a prominent English competitive swimmer who represented Great Britain at the Olympics and European championships, as well as England at the British Empire Games, during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Born on 18 April 1909, in the British island colony of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Cooper’s upbringing took place on her father’s tea plantation.
Cooper’s swimming career took off when she participated in the 1928 Summer Olympics held in Amsterdam. She achieved remarkable success, winning a silver medal in the 4×100-metre freestyle relay. Additionally, she secured a pair of bronze medals in the 100-metre freestyle and 100-metre backstroke events. Notably, in the 100-metre freestyle event, she finished tied with Jean McDowell, but the judges awarded the bronze medal to Cooper in a 3-2 decision.
Continuing her success, Cooper also excelled at the European championships in 1927 and 1931, where she captured one gold, four silver, and one bronze medal. As a representative of England, she participated in the 1930 British Empire Games, earning four gold medals. Her accomplishments brought great pride to her nation and solidified her position as an esteemed swimmer.
In the 1932 Summer Olympics hosted in Los Angeles, Cooper clinched a bronze medal in the women’s 4×100-metre freestyle relay. Individually, she secured fourth place in the 400-metre freestyle and sixth place in the 100-metre backstroke, demonstrating her versatility and endurance in multiple events.
Throughout her swimming career, Cooper faced numerous challenges and overcame them with resilience and determination. Her dedication to training and pursuit of excellence propelled her to the top of the swimming world. Additionally, her influence extended beyond her accomplishments in the pool, as she became an inspiration for aspiring athletes worldwide.
Outside of her swimming endeavors, Cooper married British Olympic rowing champion John Badcock in 1934. The couple had two sons, Felix and Francis ‘David’ M Badcock, who both inherited their parents’ athletic abilities. Felix Badcock went on to win a bronze medal in rowing at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales. Francis ‘David’ M Badcock, like his father, also pursued rowing and became a reserve for the 1958 Commonwealth Games crew, in addition to competing in the famous Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race in 1958.
Joyce Cooper, later known as Joyce Badcock, left an indelible mark on the sport of swimming and made invaluable contributions to women’s sports history. Her impressive achievements, both in national and international competitions, continue to inspire athletes and serve as a testament to the power of determination and hard work.
Awards:
– Silver medal, 1928 Summer Olympics – 4×100-metre freestyle relay
– Bronze medal, 1928 Summer Olympics – 100-metre freestyle
– Bronze medal, 1928 Summer Olympics – 100-metre backstroke
– Gold medal, 1927 European championships
– Four silver medals, 1927 European championships
– Bronze medal, 1927 European championships
– Gold medal, 1930 British Empire Games
– Gold medal, 1930 British Empire Games
– Gold medal, 1930 British Empire Games
– Gold medal, 1930 British Empire Games
– Bronze medal, 1932 Summer Olympics – 4×100-metre freestyle relay