Lucy Morton
Encyclopedia
Lucy Morton was a British
swimmer who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics
where she won a gold medal in the 200 m breaststroke event.
, Cheshire
, on 23 February 1898, the daughter of Alfred Morton, a groom in domestic service, and his wife, Jessie, née Bradbury. The family subsequently moved to Blackpool
, Lancashire
, where her father became an attendant to the mayor of Blackpool with accommodation for the family provided in the town hall. She attended Christ Church School in Blackpool and became a member of Blackpool amateur swimming club in 1908 at the age of ten.
Following a few years of local club competition, Morton won her first northern counties title in 1913 when, at the age of fifteen, she became the ladies' 100 yards breaststroke champion. In 1916 she held the first world record for the 150 yards backstroke using the traditional English version of breaststroke leg kick on the back and the double overarm action. She also became well known for open-water swims such as the Morecambe
cross bay championship, the Mersey
mile championship, the London two hours race, the Preston to Lytham race (9 miles), and the Preston to Freckleton
race (6 miles), all of which she won.
because of the First World War, and then the lack of either breaststroke or backstroke swimming events in the 1920 Olympic Games at Antwerp, deprived her of opportunities for international competition during a period when she was at the peak of her performance. In 1920, aged twenty-two, she held the world record for the 200 yards breaststroke with a time of 3 minutes 6 seconds. In the same year she was also the Amateur Swimming Association
(ASA) champion for both the 200 yards breaststroke and the 150 yards backstroke. The local council in Blackpool supported her efforts and recognized her potential Olympian status: when, in February 1924, she was invited to participate in the trials for the British swimming team for the Paris Olympics, Blackpool council immediately opened its Cocker Street baths, which were closed for the winter season and not scheduled to reopen until Easter, to facilitate her training. With the help of her coach, R. L. Swarbrick, who was the baths' superintendent, she trained before and after her day's work at St Anne's post office.
Morton was selected a member of the 443-strong British team for the 1924 Olympic Games
held in Paris
. In addition to officials and coaches, the team comprised 307 competitors, including thirteen female swimmers who were to contest the five female swimming events. The swimming events took place in July 1924 at the new purpose-built 50 metre pool at Tourelles on the outskirts of Paris, which had seating for 10,000 spectators and the innovative feature of lane ropes with cork floats. She was one of three British swimmers in this inaugural 200 metre breaststroke event and won her heat in 3 minutes 29.4 seconds, ensuring her passage to the final. She was not, however, the favourite, as the American swimmer Agnes Geraghty
had qualified faster in 3 minutes 27.6 seconds, while Morton's team-mate Irene Gilbert
, who had been ill and in bed for several days prior to the heats, had qualified for the final and was the current world record holder in the event. In the final the American led through the 150 metre mark and then Morton closed the gap to win in a time of 3 minutes 33.2 seconds, just ahead of the American with the other British swimmers, Gladys Carson
(Leicester
) and Irene Gilbert (Sheffield
), in third and fifth places. The only non-American female winner in the swimming and diving events at the Paris games, Morton was the first British woman to win an Olympic gold medal for swimming.
Following her Olympic success Morton was given a public welcome on her arrival home, later followed by a civic reception and musical evening hosted by the mayor of Blackpool, when she was presented with the diploma awarded to her by the International Olympic Committee and also with a piano which had been donated, at a cost of £82 4s. 4d., through public subscription. She recorded her thanks to R. L. Swarbrick, her teacher and coach throughout her career, "for his untiring efforts in making me what I am".
area of Blackpool.
Having retired from competitive swimming after the Olympics, Lucy Heaton committed herself to helping other young swimmers in the Blackpool area, a role that she fulfilled for over forty years. In March 1928 she was awarded an Amateur Swimming Association teaching certificate, with advanced honours, and taught many youngsters over the years, including local primary school children, pupils of the collegiate school in Blackpool, pupils from Highfurlong School for Pupils with Special Educational Needs, and also young swimmers in Blackpool amateur swimming club.
She also fulfilled other supporting roles in the competitive swimming world including acting as a coach and chaperone, and at the age of seventy-two she served as a competitors' steward at the Amateur Swimming Association championships at Derby baths in Blackpool. In 1970 she received the Harold Fern award for her outstanding contribution to swimming. In 1988 she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame
as a pioneer swimmer, one of only thirty-four British swimmers recognized in the forty years of its existence. She died at the Victoria Hospital, Blackpool, on 26 August 1980, and was cremated at Lytham Park, Blackpool. She was survived by her husband and son, and by her sister.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
swimmer who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics
1924 Summer Olympics
The 1924 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VIII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1924 in Paris, France...
where she won a gold medal in the 200 m breaststroke event.
Early life
Lucy Morton (married name Heaton) was born at New Tatton, KnutsfordKnutsford
Knutsford is a town and civil parish in the unitary authority area of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, in North West England...
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, on 23 February 1898, the daughter of Alfred Morton, a groom in domestic service, and his wife, Jessie, née Bradbury. The family subsequently moved to Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, where her father became an attendant to the mayor of Blackpool with accommodation for the family provided in the town hall. She attended Christ Church School in Blackpool and became a member of Blackpool amateur swimming club in 1908 at the age of ten.
Following a few years of local club competition, Morton won her first northern counties title in 1913 when, at the age of fifteen, she became the ladies' 100 yards breaststroke champion. In 1916 she held the first world record for the 150 yards backstroke using the traditional English version of breaststroke leg kick on the back and the double overarm action. She also became well known for open-water swims such as the Morecambe
Morecambe
Morecambe is a resort town and civil parish within the City of Lancaster in Lancashire, England. As of 2001 it has a resident population of 38,917. It faces into Morecambe Bay...
cross bay championship, the Mersey
Mersey
Mersey may refer to:* River Mersey, in northwest England* Mersea Island, off the coast of Essex in England * Mersey River in the Australian state* Electoral division of Mersey in the state of Tasmania, Australian...
mile championship, the London two hours race, the Preston to Lytham race (9 miles), and the Preston to Freckleton
Freckleton
Freckleton is a village and civil parish on the Fylde coast in Lancashire, England, to the south of Kirkham and east of the seaside resort of Lytham St. Annes. It has a population of 6,045.Freckleton is near to Warton, with its links to BAE Systems...
race (6 miles), all of which she won.
Swimming career
The cancellation of the 1916 Olympic GamesOlympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
because of the First World War, and then the lack of either breaststroke or backstroke swimming events in the 1920 Olympic Games at Antwerp, deprived her of opportunities for international competition during a period when she was at the peak of her performance. In 1920, aged twenty-two, she held the world record for the 200 yards breaststroke with a time of 3 minutes 6 seconds. In the same year she was also the Amateur Swimming Association
Amateur Swimming Association
-History:It was the first Governing Body of swimming to be established in the world and today remains the English national governing body for swimming, diving, water polo, open water, and synchronised swimming....
(ASA) champion for both the 200 yards breaststroke and the 150 yards backstroke. The local council in Blackpool supported her efforts and recognized her potential Olympian status: when, in February 1924, she was invited to participate in the trials for the British swimming team for the Paris Olympics, Blackpool council immediately opened its Cocker Street baths, which were closed for the winter season and not scheduled to reopen until Easter, to facilitate her training. With the help of her coach, R. L. Swarbrick, who was the baths' superintendent, she trained before and after her day's work at St Anne's post office.
Morton was selected a member of the 443-strong British team for the 1924 Olympic Games
1924 Summer Olympics
The 1924 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VIII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1924 in Paris, France...
held in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. In addition to officials and coaches, the team comprised 307 competitors, including thirteen female swimmers who were to contest the five female swimming events. The swimming events took place in July 1924 at the new purpose-built 50 metre pool at Tourelles on the outskirts of Paris, which had seating for 10,000 spectators and the innovative feature of lane ropes with cork floats. She was one of three British swimmers in this inaugural 200 metre breaststroke event and won her heat in 3 minutes 29.4 seconds, ensuring her passage to the final. She was not, however, the favourite, as the American swimmer Agnes Geraghty
Agnes Geraghty
Agnes Geraghty was an American swimmer who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics and 1928 Summer Olympics.In the 1924 Olympics she won a silver medal in the 200 m breaststroke event....
had qualified faster in 3 minutes 27.6 seconds, while Morton's team-mate Irene Gilbert
Irene Gilbert
Irene Gilbert was an German-born American actress and school director, who co-founded the Stella Adler Academy in Los Angeles with actress Joanne Linville in 1985. She also served as the Academy's director for approximately 20 years after the school's establishment.Gilbert was born Irene Liebert...
, who had been ill and in bed for several days prior to the heats, had qualified for the final and was the current world record holder in the event. In the final the American led through the 150 metre mark and then Morton closed the gap to win in a time of 3 minutes 33.2 seconds, just ahead of the American with the other British swimmers, Gladys Carson
Gladys Carson
Gladys Helena Carson was an English swimmer from Leicester who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics.In the 1924 Olympics she won a bronze medal in the 200 m breaststroke event....
(Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
) and Irene Gilbert (Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
), in third and fifth places. The only non-American female winner in the swimming and diving events at the Paris games, Morton was the first British woman to win an Olympic gold medal for swimming.
Following her Olympic success Morton was given a public welcome on her arrival home, later followed by a civic reception and musical evening hosted by the mayor of Blackpool, when she was presented with the diploma awarded to her by the International Olympic Committee and also with a piano which had been donated, at a cost of £82 4s. 4d., through public subscription. She recorded her thanks to R. L. Swarbrick, her teacher and coach throughout her career, "for his untiring efforts in making me what I am".
Retirement
On her birthday in 1927 she was married, at Christ Church, Blackpool, to Harry Heaton, the 29-year-old son of Reuben Heaton, master draper. She had met her husband, a post office clerk and later assistant head postmaster in Blackpool, at a Post Office dance. They lived throughout their married lives at 13 Mereland Road in the MartonMarton, Blackpool
Marton is a settlement on the coastal plain of the Fylde in Lancashire, England, most of which is now part of the seaside town of Blackpool. Marton, which consisted of Great Marton, Little Marton, Marton Fold and The Peel, was originally part of the parish of Poulton-le-Fylde, before the...
area of Blackpool.
Having retired from competitive swimming after the Olympics, Lucy Heaton committed herself to helping other young swimmers in the Blackpool area, a role that she fulfilled for over forty years. In March 1928 she was awarded an Amateur Swimming Association teaching certificate, with advanced honours, and taught many youngsters over the years, including local primary school children, pupils of the collegiate school in Blackpool, pupils from Highfurlong School for Pupils with Special Educational Needs, and also young swimmers in Blackpool amateur swimming club.
She also fulfilled other supporting roles in the competitive swimming world including acting as a coach and chaperone, and at the age of seventy-two she served as a competitors' steward at the Amateur Swimming Association championships at Derby baths in Blackpool. In 1970 she received the Harold Fern award for her outstanding contribution to swimming. In 1988 she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame
International Swimming Hall of Fame
The International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame, located at One Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of swimming in the United States and around...
as a pioneer swimmer, one of only thirty-four British swimmers recognized in the forty years of its existence. She died at the Victoria Hospital, Blackpool, on 26 August 1980, and was cremated at Lytham Park, Blackpool. She was survived by her husband and son, and by her sister.