Sylvia Ester, World-Record Swimmer

East German swimmer Sylvia Ester seems to have made one brief contribution to sports trivia before disappearing back into anonymity. Her contribution: having her world-record time disallowed due to the fact that she wasn't wearing a swimsuit.

I can't find any other references to her. Nor any explanation about why she was swimming nude.

The current record for the women's 100-meter freestyle is below 52 seconds.

Hobbs Daily News-Sun - Feb 19, 1967

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Posted By: Alex - Tue Aug 17, 2021
Category: Sports | World Records

Comments

Wouldn't a swimsuit create more friction?

Posted by ges on 08/17/21 at 07:39 AM

That thought crossed my mind, ges. I remember a few years ago there was a controversy about a new fabric used for women's suits that cut down on the friction against the water.

Posted by KDP on 08/17/21 at 05:33 PM

I feel sure the reason she was swimming nude was specifically to cut time. She could have tried again with just a men's suit.

Posted by Virtual in Carnate on 08/20/21 at 10:27 AM

She could have started a new trend, but noooooo…

Posted by Brian on 08/21/21 at 11:20 PM

If she swam with a man's suit, she would have been arrested for exposed titties in most Commonwealth countries.

Posted by Yudith on 08/22/21 at 06:52 AM

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