Greta Andersen, the one and only 1948 Olympic champion and 5-time English Channel swimmer, remains as active and outgoing as ever.
Ever gregarious and warm-hearted, Andersen is shown standing in front of one of her trophy cases.
Just looking at the awards and medals she earned, reading the certificates she received, and going through her archives from her long career throughout the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s was like stepping back in time. The stories she can tell about some of the greatest aquatic feats of the 20th century is a joy to hear as she shares her memories and wisdom.
The largest trophy shown on left is her commemorative Billy Butlin Cross Channel International Swim award that Sir Butlin personally gave her for winning the English Channel race twice overall in 1957 and 1958 as well as the women’s event from 1957 to 1959.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.