Mahonri M. Young (1877-1957),
The Swimmer, 20th century, pastel, 8 15/16 x 15 13/16 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate. Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel on this day in 1926. Born in Manhattan, she began swimming at a very young age. She won a gold medal in the 4x100 event at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, earning bronze in 100 and 400-meter freestyle events at the same Olympics. The following year she began her training to swim the Channel. She swam the Channel in 14 hours and 34 minutes.