William Herald
Encyclopedia
William Herald was an Australia
n freestyle
swimmer of the 1910s and early 1920s, who won a silver medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the 1920 Summer Olympics
in Antwerp. He also competed in the 100m and 400m freestyle events.
Herald combined with Frank Beaurepaire
, Henry Hay
and Ivan Stedman
to claim the silver medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay. The United States
, led by Duke Kahanamoku
, won the gold, routing the Australians by 21 seconds. Due to the financial difficulties following the First World War, the swimming events were held in an open canal, without lane markings. Herald reached the final of the 100m freestyle, coming fifth, but claimed that fourth-placed American Norman Ross
had fouled him during the race. Olympic officials ordered a re-race, and the placings were identical, except for Ross, who had won the 400m and 1500m events in the meantime and not bothered to enter the re-race. Herald fared worse in the 400m, failing to qualify for the final.
Unlike his colleagues, who continued to participate in swimming competitions, including the 1924 Olympics
, and in many cases, remaining as public figures, William Herald faded into anonymity after 1920. No publicly available documentation has emerged indicating his later whereabouts and the year and circumstances of his death.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n freestyle
Freestyle swimming
Freestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The front crawl stroke is almost universally used during a freestyle race, as this style is generally the fastest...
swimmer of the 1910s and early 1920s, who won a silver medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the 1920 Summer Olympics
1920 Summer Olympics
The 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium....
in Antwerp. He also competed in the 100m and 400m freestyle events.
Herald combined with Frank Beaurepaire
Frank Beaurepaire
Sir Francis "Frank" Joseph Edmund Beaurepaire was an Australian distance freestyle swimmer from the 1900s to the 1920s, who won three silver and three bronze medals, from the 1908 Summer Olympics in London to the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, setting 15 world records.He was also a decorated...
, Henry Hay
Henry Hay
Henry "Harry" Hay was an Australian freestyle swimmer of the 1920s, who won a silver medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp...
and Ivan Stedman
Ivan Stedman
Ivan Cuthbert Stedman was an Australian freestyle and breaststroke swimmer of the 1920s, who won a silver medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp...
to claim the silver medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay. The United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, led by Duke Kahanamoku
Duke Kahanamoku
Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku was a Hawaiian swimmer, actor, lawman, early beach volleyball player and businessman credited with spreading the sport of surfing. He was a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming.-Early years:The name "Duke" is not a title, but a given name...
, won the gold, routing the Australians by 21 seconds. Due to the financial difficulties following the First World War, the swimming events were held in an open canal, without lane markings. Herald reached the final of the 100m freestyle, coming fifth, but claimed that fourth-placed American Norman Ross
Norman Ross
Norman Ross was a swimmer from the United States notable for winning five events at the Inter-Allied Games in June, 1919, held at Joinville-Le-Pont near Paris and three gold medals at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. He set thirteen world records and held eighteen U.S...
had fouled him during the race. Olympic officials ordered a re-race, and the placings were identical, except for Ross, who had won the 400m and 1500m events in the meantime and not bothered to enter the re-race. Herald fared worse in the 400m, failing to qualify for the final.
Unlike his colleagues, who continued to participate in swimming competitions, including the 1924 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...
, and in many cases, remaining as public figures, William Herald faded into anonymity after 1920. No publicly available documentation has emerged indicating his later whereabouts and the year and circumstances of his death.