Irene Steer Biography

British swimmer, Olympic gold medallist, former world record-holder

Irene Steer (10 August 1889 – 18 April 1977) was a Welsh freestyle swimmer. She is one of only six Welsh women who have won Olympic gold medals, the others being Nicole Cooke (cycling, 2008), Jade Jones (taekwondo, 2012, 2016), Hannah Mills (sailing 2016, 2020), Elinor Barker (cycling, 2016) and Lauren Price (boxing, 2020). In 1912, Steer won a gold medal in the 4 × 100 m relay and failed to reach the final of the individual 100 m race.

Steer started as a breaststroke swimmer, but in 1908–1909 changed to crawl. After retiring from compe*ions she married William Nicholson, director and chairman of Cardiff City F.C. They had three daughters and one son.

See also

  • List of Olympic medalists in swimming (women)
  • World record progression 4 × 100 metres freestyle relay

References

    Belle Moore, Jennie Fletcher, Annie Speirs and Irene Steer at the 1912 OlympicsWikimedia Commons has media related to Irene Steer.

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