Born: 1906
Died: 1992 (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Biography:
Mariechen M. Wehselau was born on May 15, 1906. She was an American competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and world record-holder. Wehselau represented the United States at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. At the age of 18, she became Hawaii’s first Olympic gold medalist by swimming anchor on the USA winning 400-meter freestyle relay team. This was a groundbreaking achievement for both Wehselau and Hawaii.
Having never been out of Hawaii before, Wehselau traveled to New York for the Olympic tryouts. Alongside eight male swimmers from Hawaii, she made the team and embarked on the SS America for the voyage to Paris. During the journey, Wehselau trained in a small canvas pool below deck, wearing a harness suspended from a cable to swim in place. Although not elegant, this preparation was enough to keep her in peak condition.
In Paris, Wehselau made an impressive mark on the Olympic swimming competition. She set a world record in the Olympic 100-meter freestyle semi-final and followed it up with a silver medal in the finals. Her outstanding performance didn’t end there. Wehselau anchored the gold-medal winning U.S. team in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, alongside her teammates Euphrasia Donnelly, Gertrude Ederle, and Ethel Lackie. This relay team also set a new world record of 4:58.8 in the event final.
After her success at the Olympics, Wehselau was invited by the Australian Swimming Association to compete in their championships and perform in various exhibitions. She traveled to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and many small towns, where she showcased her skills and won every head-to-head race, except one which had an impossible handicap.
From 1928 to 1937, Wehselau dedicated herself to training younger swimmers alongside her coach, Dad Center. She had retired from active competition by this point, leaving a lasting legacy in U.S. and international swimming. Wehselau’s extraordinary achievements and pioneering role as Hawaii’s first woman Olympic gold medalist will forever be remembered as an inspiring chapter in women’s swimming history.
Mariechen Wehselau passed away on July 12, 1992, in Honolulu, Hawaii, leaving behind a legacy of determination, talent, and groundbreaking achievements in the world of swimming.
Awards:
– Olympic gold medal in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay (1924)
– Olympic silver medal in the 100-meter freestyle (1924)
– Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honor Pioneer Swimmer (1989)