Dennis, Clare (1916–1971)
Dennis, Clare (1916–1971)
Australian swimmer. Name variations: some sources incorrectly cite Claire. Born on April 14, 1916; died of cancer at age 55 in 1971; married George Golding (Olympic athlete), in 1941.
Clare Dennis, who trained at Clovelly Beach in Sydney, won her first New South Wales and Australian championships at age 14 in the 220-yard breaststroke. After breaking the world record at age 15, she became the youngest member of the Australian delegation to compete in the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. Dennis surprised everyone by winning the Olympic gold medal in the 200-meter breaststroke, breaking the Olympic record at 3:06.3. She was the only non-American gold medalist in the women's swimming competition. From 1931 to 1935, Dennis was the premiere swimmer in her specialty in the world. In 1934, she was the first Australian swimmer to win a gold medal in the British Empire Games.