Jennie Fletcher

Jennie Fletcher of Leicester Ladies SC won a bronze medal in the 100 metres freestyle at the 1912 Games to become Britain’s first woman Olympic swimming medalist. She later contributed an outstanding second leg in the relay which assured Great Britain of the gold medals and a new world record. One of 11 children in an underprivileged family, she was only able to train after working 12 hours a day, six days a week Despite their impoverished circumstances, her parents refused an offer for Jennie to tour as a professional with Annette Kellerman in 1907. She therefore remained an amateur, winning six ASA 100 yards freestyle titles between 1906 and 1912 and in 1909 setting a world record for the distance.