Olympic Women Swimmers Whose Resilience Paved the Way for Today’s Female Swimmers
When Fanny Durack dove into the Stockholm pool in 1912 as the female Olympic gold medalist in swimming, she set in motion a powerful wave of change that continues to this day.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we highlight Olympic women swimmers who overcame obstacles and wrestled with resiliency to transform swimming for women and girls for generations to come.
Read the inspiring stories of women swimmers of all ages and backgrounds who pursued their dreams of greatness in the water.
1. Simone Manuel
When Simone Manuel touched the wall in the 100-meter freestyle at the 2016 Rio Olympics, she made history as the first Black woman to win an individual Olympic gold medal in swimming. But her journey to the top wasn’t without significant obstacles.
In 2021, Manuel revealed she had been diagnosed with overtraining syndrome, a serious condition that left her unable to train properly. Her heart rate would spike during easy workouts, she lost her appetite, and even walking up stairs became exhausting.
“I had moments where I didn’t even want to go to the pool because I knew it was going to be bad,” Manuel shared after her diagnosis.Despite this setback, Manuel fought back through careful recovery and returned to competition, winning silver in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay at the 2024 Paris Games.
2. Katie Ledecky
Few Olympic women swimmers have dominated their events like Katie Ledecky. She’s earned seven Olympic gold medals and 21 world championship titles. Her accomplishments, earned through an incredible work ethic and a competitive drive, have redefined women’s distance swimming.
And she doesn’t just win medals and win races— she’s rewritten what is possible for women swimmers. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she finished the 800-meter freestyle nearly 12 seconds ahead of her closest competitor.
“I would encourage you to set really high goals. Set goals that, when you set them, you think they’re impossible. But then every day you can work towards them, and anything is possible, so keep working hard and follow your dreams.”
3. Dara Torres
At 41 years old, most elite women swimmers have long retired. But in 2008, just two years after the birth of her daughter, Dara Torres was just getting started on her most impressive chapter, becoming the oldest swimmer to make a U.S. Olympic Women’s Swim team.
Not only did she qualify— she won three silver medals in Beijing, making her the oldest swimmer to ever stand on an Olympic podium. Throughout her career as a swimmer, spanning three decades, she’s won 12 Olympic medals and redefined what’s possible for women swimmers— at any age!
“You don’t have to put an age limit on your dreams.”
4. Ethelda Bleibtrey
In 1920, at a time when women’s participation in sports was still controversial, Ethelda Bleibtrey swept all three women’s swimming events at the Antwerp Olympics, becoming the first American woman to win gold in swimming.
What makes Bleibtrey’s story even more remarkable is that she initially began swimming for therapy after her diagnosis of polio. After battling health challenges, her pool journey has set the tone for many generations of women swimmers seeking relief— and exercise— as a form of therapy in the water.
5. Gertrude Ederle
Though technically not an Olympic achievement, we can’t discuss pioneering women swimmers without mentioning Gertrude Ederle’s historic 1926 English Channel swim.
After winning gold and bronze at the 1924 Olympics, Ederle became the first woman to swim the Channel— and did it two hours faster than any man before her.
“To me, the sea is like a person – like a child that I’ve known for a long time.”
6. Yusra Mardini
Not all Olympic stories involve medals. In 2016, Yusra Mardini competed on the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team, but her most important swim took place far from any competition pool.
Fleeing war-torn Syria, the boat carrying Mardini and other refugees began sinking in the Aegean Sea. Mardini, her sister, and two others jumped into the water and pushed the boat for three hours, saving the lives of 20 people.
7. Enith Brigitha
Before Simone Manuel made history in 2016, there was Enith Brigitha. At the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Brigitha became the first Black woman to win an Olympic swimming medal, capturing bronze in both the 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle.
What makes her achievement even more impressive is the context: she was competing against East German swimmers who were later proven to be part of a state-sponsored doping program. Without this unfair competition, Brigitha might well have been the first Black Olympic champion in swimming.
8. Regan Smith
When Regan Smith broke two world records at age 17, it seemed like Olympic gold was inevitable. Then the pandemic postponed the Tokyo Games, disrupting her momentum and training.
Despite the setback, she went on to win both silver and bronze medals in Tokyo and continues to be a dominant force in backstroke.
Her passion for swimming extends to advocacy for water safety, including providing scholarships for children to learn to swim.
“I train and compete my best when I put zero boundaries or limits on what I can accomplish.”
9. Penny Oleksiak
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, 16-year-old Canadian Penny Oleksiak tied with Simone Manuel for gold in the 100-meter freestyle, becoming Canada’s youngest Olympic champion.
What Penny might be most known for is how well she handled early success, navigating the pressures of being a teenage sensation while also allowing space to grow as a person and an athlete.
“I always tell myself to have fun and not take it too seriously because at the end of the day I’m going to put 100 percent into it every race I do.”
10. Katinka Hosszú
Hungary’s Katinka Hosszú earned her nickname “The Iron Lady” through her grueling racing schedule and uncompromising work ethic. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she won three gold medals and a silver, often competing in multiple events in the same session.
“Hard work always pays off.”
Building Your Own Swimming Legacy with WeAquatics
These women Olympic swimmers didn’t just compete to win— each person set into motion what is possible for every girl and woman who dreams of becoming a swimmer.
Whether battling through health conditions, injuries, or personal setbacks, each of these inspirational women Olympic swimmers overcame obstacles and pushed boundaries to make waves!
If you’re just beginning your swimming journey (at any age!) WeAquatics invites you to take one-on-one Learn-to-Swim classes. If you’re looking to level up, join our Young Masters (ages 4-14) or Adult Masters (18+) to challenge yourself and become part of a like-minded community of swimmers!
