Inge Sørensen

Inge Sørensen, born on July 18, 1924, was a remarkable Danish swimmer who made history at the tender age of twelve. Competing in the 200 meter breaststroke at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, she secured a bronze medal, becoming the youngest Olympic medal winner in an individual event.

Her swimming prowess was evident as she dominated the sport from 1936 to 1944, clinching nine Danish championships, two Nordic championships, and one European championship. Throughout her career, she set an impressive fourteen Danish records in breaststroke and broke world records in both the 400m and 500m breaststroke events.

Inge's achievements included being the first Danish female swimmer to complete the 200m breaststroke in under three minutes, a testament to her exceptional talent and dedication. Unfortunately, her promising career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II.

After the war, Inge married a Danish engineer and relocated abroad, eventually settling in the United States. Her legacy as a pioneering athlete continues to inspire future generations of swimmers.