Marjorie Gestring facts for kids
Gestring in 1936
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| Personal information | |||||||||||
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| Nationality | American | ||||||||||
| Born | November 18, 1922 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Died | April 20, 1992 (aged 69) Hillsborough, California, U.S. |
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| Sport | |||||||||||
| Country | United States | ||||||||||
| Sport | Diving | ||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||
| National finals |
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| Olympic finals | 1936 Summer Olympics: 3 m springboard – Gold | ||||||||||
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Medal record
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Marjorie Gestring (born November 18, 1922 – died April 20, 1992) was an amazing diver from the United States. She made history at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. At just 13 years old, she won a gold medal in 3-meter springboard diving.
This made her the youngest person ever to win an Olympic gold medal at that time. She is still the second-youngest Olympic gold medalist today. Marjorie also won many national diving championships in the U.S. She even received a special second Olympic gold medal. This happened after the 1940 Summer Olympics were canceled because of World War II.
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Marjorie Gestring's Diving Career
Marjorie Gestring started her diving journey early. She won her first big competition in Chicago in 1936. This was at an Amateur Athletic Union event.
Becoming an Olympic Champion
Before the 1936 Summer Olympics, Marjorie competed to join the U.S. team. She placed second in the 3-meter springboard event. Her rival was Katherine Rawls, another talented diver.
At the Olympics, Marjorie was only 13 years and 268 days old. Her victory was a big surprise to many. She won the gold medal with her final dive. Katherine Rawls knew Marjorie had won even before the scores were announced. She congratulated Marjorie right after her dive.
Marjorie's winning score was 89.27 points. Katherine Rawls scored 88.35 points. It was a very close competition! All three medal winners in the 3-meter springboard were from the U.S. Katherine Rawls won silver, and Dorothy Poynton-Hill won bronze. About 15,000 people watched this exciting "duel" for the gold medal.
National Success and World War II
After her Olympic win, Marjorie continued to dive. She won the U.S. national title for 3-meter springboard in 1938 and 1939. She also won regional swimming championships in 1937.
The 1940 Summer Olympics were canceled because of World War II. But Marjorie kept competing in the U.S. She was the U.S. National Women's High Diving Champion in 1939 and 1940. She also kept her 3-meter springboard title in 1940.
Another diver from that time, Margaret Ambrosia, believed Marjorie would have won gold again in 1940. The United States Olympic Committee agreed. They gave out special gold, silver, and bronze medals since the Games didn't happen. Marjorie received a gold medal for 1940.
Marjorie tried to make the U.S. team for the 1948 Summer Olympics. However, she finished fourth in the trials and did not qualify.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1943, when she was 19, Marjorie married Edward Harrison Carter. He was a student at UCLA.
Marjorie Gestring passed away on April 20, 1992, at age 69. This happened after an accident at her home in Hillsborough, California.
She is remembered as a diving legend. Marjorie was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1976. She is also in the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame. Sports Illustrated magazine considered her for California's Best Woman Athlete.
Her record as the youngest Olympic gold medalist was later broken. Kim Yun-mi broke it at the 1994 Winter Olympics.
