Frederick Lane facts for kids
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| Born | 2 February 1880 Millers Point, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Died | 14 May 1969 (aged 89) Avalon Beach, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Sport | |||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Swimming | ||||||||||||||||
| Strokes | Freestyle | ||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Frederick Claude Vivian Lane (born February 2, 1880 – died May 14, 1969) was an amazing Australian swimmer. He became famous for winning two gold medals at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris. He was the very first Australian to win an Olympic swimming medal!
Contents
Early Life and His Start in Swimming
Frederick Lane grew up in Manly, New South Wales. When he was just four years old, his brother saved him from drowning in Sydney Harbour. This scary event made him decide to learn how to swim. He later went to Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview for high school.
Becoming a Champion Swimmer
Frederick Lane quickly became a talented swimmer. He broke many Australasian swimming records. In 1899, he moved to England to compete in the English Championships. This helped him prepare for bigger competitions.
Olympic Glory in Paris
Lane made history at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris. He was the first Australian to represent his country in swimming at the Olympics. He won two gold medals, showing his incredible skill.
Winning the 200 Metre Freestyle
His first victory was in the 200 metres freestyle race. He clearly beat Hungarian swimmer Zoltán Halmay. It was a strong start to his Olympic journey.
The Unusual 200 Metre Obstacle Event
Just 45 minutes later, Lane competed in his second final. This was the 200 metre obstacle event. This unique race involved swimming over and under obstacles in the water. Lane won this event too, beating Austrian swimmer Otto Wahle. This type of race is no longer part of the Olympics.
Breaking More World Records
After the Olympics, Lane stayed in England for two more years. He continued to swim and set new records. In July 1902, he won a 100-yard race. He was the first person ever to finish this distance in exactly one minute.
In August of that year, he swam 220 yards in 2 minutes and 28.6 seconds. Years later, in 1974, this time was officially recognized by FINA (the international swimming federation) as the first World Record for 200 metres. In October, he broke the one-minute barrier for 100 yards, finishing in an amazing 59.6 seconds.
Later Life and Legacy
Frederick Lane eventually returned to Australia. He became a master printer and a partner in a printing business in Sydney. He got married in 1908. He passed away in 1969 at Avalon Beach.
Lane's achievements are still remembered today. In 1969, he was honored by the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Florida, USA. On December 10, 1985, he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. In 2022, he was also one of the first people inducted into the Swimming Australia Hall of Fame. His legacy as a pioneering Australian swimmer lives on.
See also
In Spanish: Frederick Lane para niños
- List of members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
- List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men)
- World record progression 200 metres freestyle
