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Helene Madison and Charlie Fisher at Fleishhacker Pool, San Francisco, September 1930
Helene Madison and Charlie Fisher at Fleishhacker Pool, San Francisco, September 1930
TitleHelene Madison and Charlie Fisher at Fleishhacker Pool, San Francisco, September 1930
PhotographerMae, Fred, 1895-1962
Date1930
CaptionHelene Madison started swimming at Green Lake when she was 12 years old. At 19, she swept the women's freestyle swimming events in the 1932 Olympics. That year, she held all 16 women's world freestyle records and 56 American awards. When she returned to Seattle, the city presented her with a car, a Navy and Police escort and Seattle's largest ticker tape parade. Madison was unable to compete further in Olympic events due to some brief and unsuccessful professional endeavors. The challenges of two failed marriages, debt, diabetes and cancer filled Madison's later years in life.

This image depicts Helene Madison, her swimsuit displaying the Washington Athletic Club logo, with Charlie Fisher, the swimming coach at Fleishhacker Pool in San Francisco. This photograph was probably taken at the Far Western Swimming Championships held at Fleishhacker Pool on September 6 and 7, 1930. Madison, under coach Ray Daughters, competed in the 100 and 200 meters free style races. By this time, Madison was already holder of all the world free style swimming records.
NotesStamped on verso: Fred Mae, Photo. San Francisco, Calif.
SubjectsSwimmers—Washington (State)—Seattle; Swimming pools— California—San Francisco
Personal NamesMadison, Helene, 1913-1970
Fisher, Charlie
PlacesUnited States—California—San Francisco
Fleishhacker Pool (San Francisco)
Digital CollectionMuseum of History & Industry Photograph Collection
Image Number1970.5051.13
Ordering InformationTo order a reproduction or to inquire about permissions contact photos@mohai.org or phone us at 206-324-1126. Please refer to the Image Number and provide a brief description of the photograph.
Credit LineHelene Madison papers, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle; All Rights Reserved
RepositoryMuseum of History & Industry, Seattle (MOHAI).
Repository CollectionHelene Madison Papers
TypeImage
Physical Description1 photographic print: b&w; 8 x 10 in.
Digital Reproduction InformationScanned from original photograph as 4350 pixel TIFF image in 24-bit RGB color, resized to 700 pixels in the longest dimension and compressed into JPEG format using Photoshop CS2.
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