Raymond F. Taft (died 2002 in Redwood City, California) was an American pioneer and champion in masters swimming and an open water swimming coach and pilot . He began his swimming career under the tutelage of another pioneering swim coach Charles Sava, specializing in backstroke . In 1940, Taft had the fastest time in the world in the 100-meter backstroke , but was denied a chance to compete in the Olympics, which were canceled due to World War II.