Willie Foster

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameWilliam "Willie"•Foster
Used nameWillie•Foster
Born10 July 1890 in Haslingden, Bacup, England (GBR)
Died17 December 1963 in Fylde, England (GBR)
AffiliationsBacup Amateur Swimming Club, Rossendale (GBR)
NOC Great Britain
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 2

Biography

Exactly two weeks after his 18th birthday, William Foster was on a winning relay team at the 1908 Games and remains, through 2016, the youngest ever male British Olympic gold medalist. Willie started swimming at the Maden Baths in Bacup where David Billington, winner of 10 national titles between 1901-05, also used to train. Willie later joined Hyde Seal and, although he never won an ASA title, was in the top flight of British swimmers for a number of years. Foster’s sisters Ivy, Mary and Annie were all either schoolgirl, or Borough, champion swimmers at the turn of the century.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1908 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) GBR Willie Foster
400 metres Freestyle, Men (Olympic) 4
1,500 metres Freestyle, Men (Olympic) 3 h1 r2/3
4 × 200 metres Freestyle Relay, Men (Olympic) Great Britain 1 Gold
1912 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) GBR Willie Foster
400 metres Freestyle, Men (Olympic) 3 h1 r2/3
1,500 metres Freestyle, Men (Olympic) 3 h2 r2/3
4 × 200 metres Freestyle Relay, Men (Olympic) Great Britain 3 Bronze

Special Notes