Feminine Olympic Swimmers Expected to Set New Marks: Ann Curtis, Star of 1948 Games, Points Out Several Likely Looking Champions, Daily Racing Form, 1952-05-19

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i , . : Feminine Olympic Swimmers Expected to Set New Marks Ann Curtis, Star of 1948 1 Games, Points Out Several Likely Looking Champions SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 17 UP. — World-Record shattering performances in the 1952 Olympic games by feminine swimmers were predicted here by- beautiful Ann Curtis Cuneo, a star of the 1948 games. Mrs. Cuneo, who as Ann Curtis won the quarter and anchored a winning relay team, while finishing second in the 100-meter event, wont be at this years Olympics. "When I hear the word Olympics, Im j just like an old fire horse," she said, "I get all excited and ready to go. But then, I have two babies now; and besides that Im a professional. "But we plan to take our vacation around Olympics time and well be watching the games on television/* The girl who beat Ann in the 100 meter event, Greta Anderson of Denmark, will be back again this year at the Helsinki games. "She will be tough to beat," says Ann, "but there is a 15-year-old youngster from Holland, Irma Schumacher, who is sensation." Ann still holds two worlds records and hundreds of other national, regional and pool marks. Her record of 5 minutes, 7 8/10 seconds in the 440; and 11 minutes, 8 6/10 seconds in the half mile, have withstood the assaults of time. Half-Mile Mark in Jeopardy "But the half-mile mark is in a precarious position," says Ann, who now is slimmer, trimmer and more vivacious than she was when making the headlines. "Carol Green of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., came within five or six seconds of it last summer at Detroit and it could be broken." Ann turned professional to teach swimming and she had been teaching girl scouts and school boys until last February. She gave birth to a boy recently and has a girl two years old. She thinks that Barbara Stark, the 15-year-old star from Berkeley, may be another Olympic champion. "However, so far Barbaras best distance appears to be the 200-yard event, and there isnt any such distance in the Olympics," Ann points out. "She finished second in the 100 this winter and that should get her on the Olympic team if she succeeds in. the tryouts again." The powerful blond, who became a sensation a decade ago with her record-smashing efforts, is 26 years old now. "I feel like a has-been with all these 15-andl6-year-olds setting new marks," she says, "but I know the thrills they are going through; The rugged training schedules and the anxiety connected with, trying to make the Olympic team. "It is a wonderful feeling, but Ill sit this one out. Maybe by the time 1956 rolls around Ill be able to see the Olympics in person again. This time Ill be satisfied with what we can get on television." j


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1952051901/drf1952051901_2_2
Local Identifier: drf1952051901_2_2
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800