kids encyclopedia robot

Leo Goodwin (swimmer) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Leo Goodwin
Leo Joseph Goodwin.jpg
Goodwin c. 1912
Personal information
Nickname(s) "Budd"
Born (1883-11-13)November 13, 1883
New York City, New York, U.S.
Died May 25, 1957(1957-05-25) (aged 73)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Sport
Sport Swimming
Strokes Freestyle, water polo
Club New York Athletic Club
Medal record
Men's swimming
Representing the United States
Olympic Games
Gold 1904 St. Louis 4×50 yd freestyle
Gold 1904 St. Louis Water polo
Bronze 1904 St. Louis Plunge for distance
Bronze 1908 London 4×200 m freestyle

Leo Joseph Goodwin (November 13, 1883 – May 25, 1957) was an American swimmer, diver, and water polo player. He competed in the 1904 and 1908 Summer Olympics and won medals in all three disciplines.

Goodwin nearly lost his arm after blood poisoning in 1906. Dr. Dave Hennen, a swimmer from his club and a famous surgeon, dissected his entire forearm while cleaning it from poison, then re-assembled the veins, muscles and ligaments. Goodwin quickly recovered, but was unfit for the 1906 Olympics.

At the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition Goodwin set an outdoor record by swimming 3.5 miles in 1 hour and 38 minutes in San Francisco Bay. He won by 200 yards. He later received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest peacetime award in the United States, for rescuing people from drowning at Newport News, Virginia. He retired from active competitions in 1922, but continued swimming through his seventies. In 1971 he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Swimmer".

See also

  • List of members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
  • List of athletes with Olympic medals in different disciplines
  • List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men)
kids search engine
Leo Goodwin (swimmer) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.