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Allen Stack: Yale's first Olympic gold medal swimmer
This summer’s Olympics take place in London.
The last time England’s capital city played host to the Olympic games, a 6-foot-5 backstroker by the name of Allen Stack became Yale’s first swimmer to win an Olympic gold medal. Stack won the 100-meter backstroke in 1948.
Along with that feat, Stack is known for transforming the backstroke.
“Allen had a unique stroke,” Phil Moriarty, who served as an assistant coach when Stack swam at Yale, told the New York Times. “He would put his arm in the water and pull through like a normal backstroker, but as he brought the arm to his side he would bend it a little at the elbow and push with his hands toward his feet. That created practically a brand-new stroke. Allen’s bend and his push are what everyone is doing today. It’s the logical way to go.”
There is a pair of interesting stories behind Stack’s two Olympic appearances.
Read Chris Hunn's complete story.
The last time England’s capital city played host to the Olympic games, a 6-foot-5 backstroker by the name of Allen Stack became Yale’s first swimmer to win an Olympic gold medal. Stack won the 100-meter backstroke in 1948.
Along with that feat, Stack is known for transforming the backstroke.
“Allen had a unique stroke,” Phil Moriarty, who served as an assistant coach when Stack swam at Yale, told the New York Times. “He would put his arm in the water and pull through like a normal backstroker, but as he brought the arm to his side he would bend it a little at the elbow and push with his hands toward his feet. That created practically a brand-new stroke. Allen’s bend and his push are what everyone is doing today. It’s the logical way to go.”
There is a pair of interesting stories behind Stack’s two Olympic appearances.
Read Chris Hunn's complete story.
Labels: 1948, Allen Stack, Olympics, Yale, Yale swimming
posted by Sean Barker at
5:46 PM
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