Charles Daniels
From Openwaterpedia
Charles Meldrum Daniels (24 March 1885 in Dayton, Ohio – 9 August 1973) was an American open water swimmer.
Open Water Swimming Highlights
- He was an 8th-time Olympic medalist and world record-holder in two freestyle swimming events.
- He was an innovator of the front crawl swimming style, inventing the "American crawl".
- He began his swimming career with the New York Athletic Club in 1903.
- At the 1904 St. Louis Olympic Games in Missouri, he became the first American to win an Olympic medal, winning gold medals in both the 220-yard and 440-yard freestyle races.
- At the 1908 London Olympics, he won a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle.
- He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honor Swimmer in 1965.
