Records
Preceded byClaire Guttenstein
Women's 100 m freestyleworld record-holder (long course) 29 September 1911 – 9 July 1912
Succeeded byFanny Durack
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Margaret Daisy Curwen |
| Nationality | British |
| Born | 6 December 1889 Liverpool, England |
| Died | 25 June 1982 (aged 92) Wallasey, England |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Swimming |
Daisy Curwen (6 December 1889 – 25 June 1982) was a former British swimmer world record holder in the 100 m freestyle.[1] Curwen competed at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, but could not start in the final race any more due to an appendectomy during the event.[2]
Curwen was born in December 1889 in Liverpool, England.[2] She began swimming with her local club in Liverpool when she was 13.[2] Between 1903 and 1917, Curwen won the Liverpool and District 100 yards freestyle event fourteen times.[2] Curwen broke the world record for the 100 metres freestyle twice, first in September 1911 and again in June 1912.[2][3] She also set six more world records in events from the 100 to 300 yards.[4]
At the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden, Curwen competed in the women's 100 metre freestyle event.[5] In her heat, Curwen set a new Olympic record.[5] She went on to qualify for the final of the race, but was unable to start, after suffering with appendicitis which required surgery.[5][6] As a result, Curwen also missed an opportunity to swim in the women's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay race,[2] where Great Britain won the gold medal.[7]
Curwen did not compete in swimming after World War I.[2] She died in Wallasey in June 1982 at the age of 92.[2]