By William “Skip” Deegans
By this time in 1924, the Paris Olympics were well underway and White Sulphur Springs resident Martha Norelius had captured a gold medal for the USA in the women’s 400-meter freestyle swimming event. She set a new world record and at 15 years old she was the youngest world champion on record. Born in Sweden, Norelius was the daughter of Charles Norelius, who swam for Sweden in the 1906 Olympics. He was the swimming instructor at The Greenbrier’s pool where Martha trained.
At the 1928 Olympics, Norelius again won gold and set a new world record in the 400-meter freestyle race, and with her team mates they won gold medals and set a world record in the 4 x 100-meter freestyle relay.
Norelius died in St. Louis in 1955 from complications following gallbladder surgery. She was described in obituaries as “one of the world’s greatest swimmers of the time.”
Photo from the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Sources: International Swimming Hall of Fame, The West Virginia News, The Boston Glove, St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
