Chris von Saltza

Susan Christina von Saltza, born on January 13, 1944, is a distinguished American swimmer who made her mark as an Olympic champion and world record-holder in multiple events. Known for her exceptional talent, she began her swimming journey at the Santa Clara Swim Club under the guidance of coach George Haines, where she led her team to numerous national championships and secured nineteen individual Amateur Athletic Union titles.

At the young age of sixteen, von Saltza set the world record in the 400-meter freestyle during the U.S. Olympic trials. Her remarkable performance continued at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, where she earned four medals: a gold in the women's 400-meter freestyle, a silver in the 100-meter freestyle, and two additional golds as part of the victorious U.S. relay teams in the women's 4×100-meter freestyle and 4×100-meter medley relays, both of which set new world records.

Prior to her Olympic success, von Saltza showcased her prowess at the 1959 Pan American Games, where she claimed five gold medals across various events, including the 100-, 200-, and 400-meter freestyle, as well as in both relay events. Following her illustrious swimming career, she attended Stanford University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Asian history. Unfortunately, the university did not have a women's swimming and diving team at the time, leading her to effectively retire from competitive swimming after the 1960 Olympics.

In the United States, she is often referred to as