Hilda James

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Hilda James

Hilda James set five world records over distances between 220y and 440y freestyle and also broke countless British records. She won the National 100y and 220y titles in 1921 and was a double winner again in 1924 when she won the 220y and the inaugural 440y title She was considered to be one of the best European swimmers at the time, and was also a good synchronized swimmer.

In 1925 Hilda James was invited by the South African Amateur Swimming Union to participate in a demonstration tour and a series of galas to promote swimming in South Africa and Rhodesia.

The tour was initially planned from January 26 to March 20, 1925, but its success led to an extension until May 1 of that year. She celebrated her 21st birthday in Stellenbosch, South Africa, during the extended tour.

Hilda James was inducted into ISHOF in 2016. Her grandson, Ian McAllister, wrote the story of her life, Lost Olympics, a fascinating story.

Pretoria swimming coach Jimmy Green, with Hilda James in 1925.

1925 Feb 7 A
1925 Feb 7 B
1925 Feb 9 A
1925 Feb 9 B
1925 Feb 22 Beavers Gala
1925 Feb 23
1925 Feb 28
1925 Hilda James With Jimmy Green
1925 Hilda Photo
1925 Jan 29 Kimberley
1925 Mar 2 Beavers Gala
1925 Mar 9 A
1925 Mar 9 B
1925 Mar 9 C
1925 Mar 10 A
1925 Mar 10 B
Hilda James 1925
Hilda James With Jimmy Green
Hilda 1
Hilda 2
Hilda 3

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Jimmy Green

Posted in Articles.

Coach Jimmy Green

James 'Jimmy' Green was the superintendent at the Pretoria Central Bath and the coach at the Otters ASC. He produced several Springbok swimmers, including 1928 Olympic Bronze medal winners Kathleen Russell, Zus Engelenberg, Freddie van der Goes, and Rhoda Rennie. In 1934, he coached Olympic medallist Jennie Maakal, and in 1938 he was also the coach of the bronze medal-winning women's team at the Empire Games.