Wikipedia:Today's featured article/November 13, 2013



Faith Leech (1941–2013) was an Australian freestyle swimmer who won gold in the 4 &times; 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.

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