Born: 1911 (Netherlands)
Biography:
Maria Marie Johanna Philipsen-Braun, also known as Zus Braun, was born on June 22, 1911, in the Netherlands. She was a prominent Dutch swimmer who made her mark in the 1928 and 1932 Summer Olympics and set numerous records throughout her career. Known for her strength and versatility, Braun excelled in both backstroke and freestyle events.
Braun’s passion for swimming was nurtured through her family. Her father, Ma Braun, was a renowned Dutch swimming coach. Under his expert guidance, Marie developed her skills and honed her technique from a young age. With the support and encouragement of her family, she began to make waves in the swimming world.
At the age of sixteen, Braun made her Olympic debut in the 1928 Summer Olympics held in her hometown of Amsterdam. She showcased her incredible talent by winning a gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke and a silver in the 400-meter freestyle. Her outstanding performance earned her a place in the history books as one of the youngest Olympic gold medalists at that time.
Following her Olympic success, Braun continued to excel in international competitions. In the 1927 European Championships, she won one gold and two bronze medals in the 100-meter and 4×100-meter freestyle, as well as the 100-meter backstroke. Her exceptional performances solidified her reputation as one of the leading swimmers in Europe.
In 1931, Braun repeated her success at the European Championships, taking home gold medals in the same events she had previously won bronze in. Her dominance in the pool was remarkable, and she became a favorite for the upcoming 1932 Olympics held in Los Angeles.
However, fate had a different plan for Braun at the 1932 Olympics. During the preliminary heats for the 400-meter freestyle, she suddenly fell ill and was rushed to the hospital. Diagnosed with a high fever, Braun was unable to compete in the finals of the events she had trained so hard for. It was a devastating blow for her, and she soon made the difficult decision to retire from competitive swimming.
Braun’s sudden illness raised suspicions of foul play. She gave a press statement upon her return to the Netherlands, claiming that she felt a pain in her leg during the event and noticed two suspicious individuals watching her from the stands. These individuals disappeared before she could identify them. There were speculations that this incident was connected to illegal gambling on the Olympic events.
Despite her premature retirement, Marie Braun’s impact on the sport of swimming cannot be undermined. Throughout her career, she set six world records and 25 national records, solidifying her place as one of the greatest swimmers of her time. Her remarkable achievements were recognized in 1980 when she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Marie Braun’s dedication, resilience, and innate talent continue to inspire swimmers today. Her contribution to women’s swimming history, coupled with her undeniable athletic prowess, make her an iconic figure in the world of sports.
Awards:
– Gold medal in the 100 m backstroke at the 1928 Summer Olympics
– Silver medal in the 400 m freestyle at the 1928 Summer Olympics
– Induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1980