Daisy Curwen
British swimmer (1889–1982)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Daisy Curwen, later known by her married name Margaret Wright,[1] (6 December 1889 – 25 June 1982) was a former British swimmer world record holder in the 100 m freestyle.[2] Curwen competed at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, but could not start in the final race any more due to an appendectomy during the event.[3]
Biography
Curwen was born in December 1889 in Liverpool, England.[3] She began swimming with her local club in Liverpool when she was 13.[3] Between 1903 and 1917, Curwen won the Liverpool and District 100 yards freestyle event fourteen times.[3] Curwen broke the world record for the 100 metres freestyle twice, first in September 1911 and again in June 1912.[3][4] She also set six more world records in events from the 100 to 300 yards.[5]
At the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden, Curwen competed in the women's 100 metre freestyle event.[6] In her heat, Curwen set a new Olympic record.[6] She went on to qualify for the final of the race, but was unable to start, after suffering with appendicitis which required surgery.[6][7] As a result, Curwen also missed an opportunity to swim in the women's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay race,[3] where Great Britain won the gold medal.[8]
Curwen did not compete in swimming after World War I.[3] She was married to Tom Wright.[1] She died in Wallasey on June 25, 1982 at the age of 92.[1][3]
