Laura Ranwell - 1960 Olympic record breaker

The Springbok swim team at the 1960 Olympics had a surprise result. Laura Ranwell, who had been beaten at the Olympic trials in South Africa by Rhodesian Lyn Cooper, set an Olympic record in the heats of the 100m backstroke. In the final  she finished with a time tied for third place in the women's 100m backstroke, although judged to have finished 4th.

Admittedly she swam in the first heat, beating the world and Olympic record time set by Judy Grinham in 1956, but four other swimmers also beat that time in the rest of the heats. Rhodesians Lyn Cooper, who had beaten Laura at the Olympic trials, and Dottie Sutcliffe, also swam in the Olympic 100m backstroke, but both failed to progress to the final. Lyn Cooper again won the South African championships in 1961 and 1962, while Laura's name does not re-appear in the local swimming press after 1960.

The silver medallist in that race was former South African Natalie Steward,, by then swimming for Great Britain.

Laura was born in Johannesburg on December 13, 1941. In 1960 Laura was selected to compete in the Rome Olympic games. Although she was the least well-known of the three swimmers - she was the one who achieved the most at those Olympic Games.