Becker-Pinkston, Elizabeth (1903–1989)

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Becker-Pinkston, Elizabeth (1903–1989)

American Olympic diver. Name variations: Elizabeth Becker; Elizabeth Pinkston; Elizabeth Pinkston-Becker; Betty Becker Pinkston Campbell. Born Elizabeth Becker on March 6, 1903; died of heart failure in Detroit, Michigan, on April 6, 1989; married Clarence Pinkston (1900–1961, an American diver); married once more.

The first woman to win two Olympic diving titles, Betty Becker won gold medals off the springboard at Paris in 1924 (as Elizabeth Becker) and off the platform at Amsterdam in 1928 (as Elizabeth Pinkston). She also won a silver medal in platform diving in Paris. During the 1928 Games, Elizabeth was coached by her new husband, Olympic diving champion Clarence Pinkston, who won a gold, a silver and two bronze medals in the 1920 and 1924 Olympics.

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