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>
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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>
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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>
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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>