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Otto Wahle
Otto Wahle 1901.jpg
Wahle in 1901
Personal information
Born (1879-11-05)5 November 1879
Vienna, Austria-Hungary
Died 11 August 1963(1963-08-11) (aged 83)
Forest Hills, Queens, New York, U.S.
Medal record
Men's Swimming
Representing  Austrian Empire
Olympic Games
Silver 1900 Paris 200 m obstacle
Silver 1900 Paris 1000 m freestyle
Bronze 1904 St. Louis 440 yd freestyle

Otto Wahle was a famous swimmer from Austria who later became an American citizen. He was born on November 5, 1879, and passed away on August 11, 1963. Otto Wahle competed in two Summer Olympic Games and won three medals. He also coached the US men's swim team and the US men's water polo team in later Olympic Games.

Otto Wahle's Olympic Swimming Career

Otto Wahle was 20 years old when he first competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics. These Games were held in Paris, France. He took part in three different swimming events.

1900 Paris Olympics Achievements

In the 200 metre freestyle race, Otto won his first round. However, he did not compete in the final race for a reason that is not known.

He also entered the 1000 metre freestyle event. In his first race, he finished second behind a swimmer from Hungary. Still, he qualified for the final race the next day. In the final, he won a silver medal. He finished behind a swimmer from Great Britain but ahead of the Hungarian swimmer.

Otto Wahle earned another silver medal in the 200 metre obstacle event. He won his first race in this event. In the final, he was less than two seconds slower than the gold medalist, an Australian swimmer.

Moving to the United States

In 1901, Otto Wahle moved to New York City. He joined the New York Athletic Club, a well-known sports club.

1904 St. Louis Olympics Achievements

Three years later, Otto Wahle competed in his second Olympic Games. The 1904 Summer Olympics took place in St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States. Again, he entered three swimming events.

He finished fourth in the 1 mile freestyle race. He also placed fifth in the 880 yard freestyle event. Otto Wahle won a bronze medal in the 440 yard freestyle. He finished behind two other swimmers, Charles Daniels and Francis Gailey.

Otto Wahle's Coaching and Later Life

In 1906, Otto Wahle became a citizen of the United States. He then started a new part of his career as a coach.

Coaching US Olympic Teams

He became the coach for the American swimming team at the 1912 Summer Olympics. During this time, he coached George S. Patton Jr., who later became a famous general. Patton was competing in the swimming part of the pentathlon event.

Otto Wahle also coached the American water polo team. He led them at the 1920 Summer Olympics and again at the 1924 Summer Olympics.

Impact on Swimming in the US

Otto Wahle was very important in helping swimming grow as a competitive sport in the United States. He helped write many of the rules for early swimming competitions. These rules were used in the manuals of the Amateur Athletic Union.

Recognition and Legacy

Otto Wahle passed away in 1963 in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. His contributions to swimming were recognized after his death. In 1968, he was added to the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Later, in 1990, he was also inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame.

See also

  • List of members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
  • List of select Jewish swimmers
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