These pages will include Olympic swimming autographs prior to 1948.
Willy den Ouden - Netherlands
Member of International Swimming Hall of Fame Willy den Ouden was one of the great freestylers of the 1930's. While her Olympic record is strong with two Silver medals and one Gold in the 1932 and 1936 Olympics, her performance outside of the Games was even stronger. At one point, she held the 100, 200, and 400 meter freestyle World Records simultaneously. Her 100 meter World Record set in 1936 wasn't broken until 1956. She was kind enough to sign my card and sent me the photocopy in 1994. She passed away in 1997 at the age of 79.
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"Tini" Wagner - Netherlands
Catherine "Tini" Wagner was a member of the 1936 Dutch 4 x 100 meter freestyle team that set a World Record, then followed it up with an Olympic Gold Medal in Berlin. She also was a finalist in the 100 and 400 meter events in Berlin, just missing out on medals. She passed away in 2004, at the age of 84.
Leni Lohmar - Germany
Leni Lohmar was a freestyle swimmer that competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics. She did not medal in the 100 meter individual event, but swam the second leg for the Silver Medal winning 4 x 100 meter relay team. She passed away in 2006 at the age of 92.
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Maria "Rie" Vierdag - Netherlands
Rie Vierdag competed in three Olympics (1924, 28, 32). She was one of the top Dutch freestylers when the Dutch were the best in the world. She won European titles as well as her 1932 Olympic Silver Medal. She taught physical education and passed away in 2005, two months shy of her 100th birthday.
Dina "Nida" Senff - Netherlands
Member of International Swimming Hall of Fame Nida Senff was Europe's premier backstroker in the mid 1930's and took the Gold Medal in 1936 in the 100 meter backstroke. In 1936-37, Senff set five World Records. Likely, she would have been a strong medal contender in the 1940 Olympics in Tokyo had they been held. Senff passed away in 1995 at the age of 75.
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