International Swimming Hall of Fame

International Swimming Hall of Fame The International Swimming Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit educational organization located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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We are currently closed for construction. Our mission is to promote the benefits and importance of swimming as a key to fitness, good health, quality of life, and the water safety of children. We will accomplish this through operation of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, a dynamic shrine dedicated to the history, memory, and recognition of the famous swimmers, divers, water polo players, sy

nchronized swimmers, Paralympians, and persons involved in life saving activities and education, throughout the world, whose lives and accomplishments will serve to inspire, educate, and be role models for all those who participate in the Hall of Fame’s experience and programs.

Today for Throwback Thursday, we're taking a trip back to the late 60’s, when Artist Linzee Prescott is outlining one of...
08/27/2026

Today for Throwback Thursday, we're taking a trip back to the late 60’s, when Artist Linzee Prescott is outlining one of the entrance hemispheres at the Hall of Fame before its grand opening. See the second photo for the finished result.

Since our collection is in storage for the new Museum, we want to highlight one thing each week in our collection. This ...
08/26/2026

Since our collection is in storage for the new Museum, we want to highlight one thing each week in our collection. This week, we are showing you the first Olympic Flag at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics donated by honorees Betty Becker Pinkston and Clarence Pinkston.

08/25/2026

Captain Matthew Webb (GBR) Honor Swimmer (1965) The information on this page was written the year of their induction. FOR THE RECORD:  First swimmer to cross the English Channel, 1875. Immortality doesn’t come often and once is enough for most swimmers, but not for Captain Matthew Webb, who was f...

For Trivia Tuesday, we want to see if you can name these two Swimming greats pictured?
08/25/2026

For Trivia Tuesday, we want to see if you can name these two Swimming greats pictured?

08/24/2026

Country: USA Honoree Type: Swimmer FOR THE RECORD:  OLYMPIC GAMES: 1912 gold (100m freestyle), silver (4x200m freestyle relay); 1920 gold (100m freestyle; 4x200m freestyle relay), 4th (water polo); 1924 silver (100m freestyle); 1932 team member (water polo); WORLD RECORDS: freestyle. The history of...

22 August 1920, Antwerp.On this day, Duke Kahanamoku began his campaign in the men’s 100m freestyle at the Games of the ...
08/22/2026

22 August 1920, Antwerp.

On this day, Duke Kahanamoku began his campaign in the men’s 100m freestyle at the Games of the VII Olympiad.

Eight years had passed since Stockholm 1912, where Duke won his first Olympic title in the 100m freestyle. The 1916 Games never took place because of the First World War. So when Olympic swimming finally returned in Antwerp, Kahanamoku was 29 years old. And he was still the man everyone had to beat.

On 22 August, he won his opening heat in 1:01.8, setting a new Olympic record.

A day later, he went even faster. 1:01.4, another Olympic record.

Then the story became much more complicated.

The first final took place on 24 August, which happened to be Duke’s 30th birthday. He touched first in 1:00.4, equalling his own world record. A protest followed, however, after interference involving Norman Ross and William Herald. Officials eventually ordered the final to be raced again.

So, on 29 August, Duke had to win it all over again.

And he did.

Kahanamoku won the second final in 1:01.4, with fellow Hawaiian Pua Kealoha taking silver. Eight years after winning in Stockholm, Duke was Olympic champion in the 100m freestyle once more.

His Antwerp Games were not over. He also swam for the United States in the 4 × 200m freestyle relay. The American team won gold in 10:04.4, setting a world record.

Duke left Antwerp with two gold medals.

100m freestyle, GOLD.
4 × 200m freestyle relay, GOLD.

There is something remarkable about the span of this achievement. Duke first became Olympic 100m freestyle champion in 1912. There were no Games in 1916. Then, eight years after Stockholm, he returned and won the same event again.

And his Olympic story still wasn’t finished. Paris 1924 was waiting.

The times belong to a completely different era of swimming. The pools, training, starts and equipment were different. But being the fastest swimmer at two Olympic Games separated by eight years tells its own story.

Duke Kahanamoku was one of the defining swimmers of the sport’s first international era.

Today’s Flashback Friday picture is of Actor Sally Struthers, Open Water Swimmer Walter Poenisch, his wife, and Buck Daw...
08/21/2026

Today’s Flashback Friday picture is of Actor Sally Struthers, Open Water Swimmer Walter Poenisch, his wife, and Buck Dawson at the Museum in 1972, when Walter was preparing to be interviewed about his attempt to set a record for the longest ocean swim by swimming from Cuba to Fort Lauderdale.

08/20/2026

by John Lohn – Editor-in-Chief 18 August 2026 Rich Burns Recognized with USMS’ Ransom Arthur Award; Honored for Decades of Service By Daniel Paulling Rich Burns couldn’t figure out what was happening. Several of his teammates in the 1980s would disappear for a few days every September and co...

08/19/2026

by John Lohn – Editor-in-Chief 18 August 2026 Passages: Phillip Whitten, Former Editor of Swimming World, Dies at 82 Phillip Whitten, the former Editor-in-Chief of Swimming World, and its sister publications, Swimming Technique and SWIM (Masters), passed away on Saturday, August 15. He was 82...

For Trivia Tuesday, we want to see if you can name these three Swimming greats pictured?
08/18/2026

For Trivia Tuesday, we want to see if you can name these three Swimming greats pictured?

Address

1 Hall Of Fame Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL
33316

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 2pm

Telephone

+19544626536

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