Jennie Fletcher

Jennie Fletcher , later known by her married name Jennie Hyslop, was a British competitive swimmer, Olympic gold medallist, and former world recordholder. In 1905 she set a new world record in the 100yard freestyle that stood for seven years. She was selected for the 1908 Olympics, but the womens swimming events were cancelled due to a shortage of participants. At the 1912 Summer Olympics, she won a gold medal in the 4100metre freestyle relay and a bronze medal in the individual 100metre freestyle race. In 1971 she was inducted to the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honor Swimmer.

Fletcher was born in an underprivileged family ofsiblings and had to combine swimming with daily 12hour work. In 1913 she began teaching swimming in Leicester, which ended her competitive career as she turned from an amateur into a professional. In 1917, she married and immigrated to Canada, where she gave birth to a daughter and five sons.

Source: Wikipedia