Marilyn Bell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marilyn Grace Bell Di Lascio
OOnt |
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|---|---|
| Born |
Marilyn Grace Bell
October 19, 1937 |
| Known for | Long-distance swimming |
| Children | 4 |
Marilyn Grace Bell Di Lascio, born on October 19, 1937, is a famous Canadian long-distance swimmer. She made history by being the first person to swim across Lake Ontario. She also conquered the English Channel and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Contents
Marilyn Bell's Early Life and Training
Marilyn Bell was born in Toronto, Ontario. Her family moved around a bit before settling back in Toronto in 1946. That same year, Marilyn started swimming lessons at Oakwood Pool. She joined the Dolphinette Club, coached by Alex Duff.
In 1947, Marilyn entered her first long-distance race. It was a one-mile swim in Lake Ontario at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). There, she met her future coach, Gus Ryder, from the Lakeshore Swimming Club. Marilyn soon joined his club and began practicing at the indoor pool of Humberside Collegiate Institute in Toronto.
Competing in Marathon Swims
In July 1954, Marilyn swam in the Centennial Marathon in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She finished first among the women swimmers and seventh overall. This win earned her US$1,150. The race was 26 miles around Absecon Island in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Historic 1954 Lake Ontario Swim
On September 8, 1954, at 11:07 pm, Marilyn Bell began her swim across Lake Ontario. She started from Youngstown, New York. At the same time, a world-famous American swimmer, Florence Chadwick, also started. The CNE had offered Chadwick CA$10,000 to swim the lake. This was to promote their yearly exhibition.
Canadian swimmers, including Marilyn, were disappointed. They had hoped the CNE would hold a marathon race for Canadians. Because of this criticism, the CNE allowed other swimmers to join. Marilyn decided to try the whole swim by herself. She later said she "did it for Canada." A reporter, Alexandrine Gibb from the Toronto Daily Star, encouraged her. Another swimmer, Winnie Roach, also decided to swim the lake.
Challenges During the Swim
After several hours, Florence Chadwick had to quit due to stomach pains. Winnie Roach also stopped because of cramps. But Marilyn kept going! She swam for 20 hours and 59 minutes. Finally, she reached a breakwater near the Boulevard Club, west of the CNE grounds.
The planned route was about 51.5 kilometres (32.0 mi), but Marilyn swam much further. This was because of strong winds and no modern navigation tools. The waves that day were almost 5 metres (16 ft) high. The water temperature was 21 °C (70 °F). Even worse, lamprey eels attacked her legs and arms!
Marilyn stayed strong by eating Pablum, corn syrup, and lemon juice with water. Her boat crew, including swimmer Joan Cooke and coach Gus Ryder, cheered her on. Radio stations gave hourly updates on her progress. Newspapers printed special editions throughout the day.
Marilyn's Arrival and Recognition
When Marilyn started, she had two boats with her. By midday, a huge group of boats surrounded her. When she finally arrived around 8:15 p.m., an estimated 250,000 people were there to see her! CNE officials wanted her to arrive at the CNE waterfront. But Gus Ryder guided her to Sunnyside. The amusement park lights helped her navigate, and the waves were smaller there.
Marilyn Bell was the first person to swim the 32-mile (51 km) distance. The CNE decided to give her the $10,000 prize. She also received many gifts, like a car, television, clothes, and furniture. Marilyn even appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. She later thanked the Toronto community and reporter Alexandrine Gibb for their support. Marilyn later shared that she didn't hear the cheering crowds when she arrived. She heard it for the first time when she listened to a radio recording a few days later.
Other Incredible Swims
The Toronto Telegram newspaper offered Marilyn CA$$15,000 to swim the English Channel. She completed this crossing in 14 hours and 36 minutes on July 31, 1955. She started at Cap Gris-Nez and finished at Abbotscliff, between Dover and Folkestone. At just 17 years old, she was the youngest swimmer to ever cross the English Channel. Her coach Gus Ryder and John (Pop) Boswell guided her.
Marilyn returned to Toronto for a huge parade on August 19. About 100,000 people lined Bay Street to City Hall to celebrate her!
On August 23, 1956, she swam the Strait of Juan de Fuca off the Pacific coast. She swam from Port Angeles, Washington, to Victoria, British Columbia. This was her second try, as she had given up on her first attempt. A stone monument by Dallas Road Waterfront Trail in Victoria marks where she finished her swim.
Awards and Special Recognition
Marilyn Bell received many honors for her incredible achievements. In 1954, she was named the Canadian Newsmaker of the Year. She also won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's athlete of the year. And she received the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canadian female athlete of the year.
Marilyn was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1958. In 1993, she joined the Canadian Swimming Hall of Fame. She was also named one of Canada's top athletes of the century. In 1997, she was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. In 2003, Marilyn Bell Di Lascio received the Order of Ontario.
Honoring Her Legacy
The National Historic Sites and Monuments Board recognized Marilyn's Lake Ontario swim as a National Historic Event in 2005. A special plaque was put up in 2008 near where she landed. Another plaque is on a lion statue near Lake Shore Boulevard by the CNE. A plaque for her Strait of Juan de Fuca swim is at her landing spot in Beacon Hill Park.
The parkland near where Marilyn arrived is now called Marilyn Bell Park. In 2009, the Lakeshore Swimming Club of Toronto held the first yearly Marilyn Bell Swim Classic. In 2010, a ferry boat for the Toronto Island Airport was named the Marilyn Bell 1.
Marilyn's amazing swim story was told in the 2001 TV movie Heart: The Marilyn Bell Story. Caroline Dhavernas played Marilyn Bell in the film.
Images for kids
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Dedication plaque for Marilyn Bell Park
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Cairn by Dallas Road Waterfront Trail (Victoria, BC, Canada) commemorating Marilyn Bell's historic swim across the Juan de Fuca Strait.
