Faith Leech (1941–2013) was an Australian freestyle swimmer who won gold in the 4 × 100 metres freestyle relay and bronze in the 100 m freestyle at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. A tall and lean swimmer known for her elegant technique, Leech started swimming as a child to build strength after a series of eating disorders. In 1955, she became the youngest swimmer to win an Australian title, claiming victory in the 100 yards freestyle, and twice broke the Australian record at this distance. Illness forced her out of the 1956 Australian Championships, but she recovered to gain Olympic selection. Leech produced a late surge to take bronze in the individual event and seal an Australian trifecta, before swimming the second leg in the relay to help secure an Australian victory in world record time. She retired from competitive swimming after the Olympics aged 15, citing anxiety caused by racing as one of the main factors in her decision. She worked in the family jewelry business, taught swimming to disabled children, and continued her involvement with the Olympic movement through volunteer work. Leech was an inductee of the Path of Champions at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_Leech
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1841:
Scottish surgeon James Braid first observed the operation of animal magnetism, which led to his study of the subject he eventually called hypnotism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Braid_(surgeon)
1966:
The Israeli military conducted a large cross-border assault on the Jordanian-controlled West Bank village of Samu in response to an al- Fatah land mine incident two days earlier near the West Bank border. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samu_Incident
1982:
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Constitution Gardens in Washington, D.C. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Veterans_Memorial
1989:
Hans-Adam II, reigning Prince of Liechtenstein, took the throne upon the death of his father. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans-Adam_II,_Prince_of_Liechtenstein
1992:
The High Court of Australia ruled in Dietrich v The Queen that although there is no absolute right to have publicly funded counsel, in most circumstances a judge should grant any request for an adjournment or stay when an accused is unrepresented. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietrich_v_The_Queen
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
adipose: 1. Containing, composed of, or consisting of fat. 2. Slightly overweight, somewhat fat and hence soft. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/adipose
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
All who have meant good work with their whole hearts, have done good work, although they may die before they have the time to sign it. Every heart that has beat strong and cheerfully has left a hopeful impulse behind it in the world, and bettered the tradition of mankind. --Robert Louis Stevenson https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Robert_Louis_Stevenson