1940: Swimming

Swimming continues to gain in popularity in the United States. It is estimated that $35,000,000, spent for swim suits, accessories, and admissions for 35,000,000 swimmers and spectators at 24,000 beaches and pools scattered from coast to coast, comprised the national outlay for aquatics in 1940. Swimming as a highly competitive sport reached a state of near perfection judging from the listing of 25 (out of 31) world records held by Americans; Japanese swimmers hold four and German swimmers hold two of these records. In these record-wrecking exploits, Jack Medica has seven marks.

It is also safe to say that had the Olympic Games been held, the United States team would have captured the major honors both in men's and women's competitions. The ranking swimmers of the United States are Otto Jaretz, of the Chicago Towers Club, national indoor and outdoor champion who holds five key places, the 100- and 220-yard free style, and positions on the relay teams; Adolph Kiefer is a close second, dominating competition in free style, backstroke and medley tests. Peter Fick and Ralph Flanagan, topnotchers for six years, have dropped out of competition.

Brilliant performances marked the national A.A.U. indoor championships, conducted in the pool of the New York Athletic Club, when the University of Michigan team beat the Chicago Towers team for the national team title. Three double victories were marked up by Tom Haynie, of Detroit A. C., Adolph Kiefer, Towers Club, and Al Platnik, Ohio State University. Outdoors, the A. A. U. title events hit an all-time high, when Kiefer emerged as the high point man of the meet, creating a new record for the 110-yard backstroke (1 min. 5-5 sec.) and 330-yard medley (3 min. 58.6 sec.). Otto Jaretz broke Johnny Weismuller's 220-yard free style mark by a half-second, in 2 min. 13.1 sec. The team trophy was captured by Alexander House of Maui, Hawaii. In women's swimming, Mary Ryan broke three national records and was presented with a diamond-studded medal for top honors.