1. Overview
Ethel Minnie Lackie (February 10, 1907 - December 15, 1979), also known by her married name Ethel Watkins, was an American competition swimmer, an Olympic champion, and a world record-holder. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Lackie became a prominent figure in women's swimming during the 1920s, achieving significant success at both national and international levels. Her career was highlighted by winning two gold medals at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, where she set an Olympic record in the 100-meter freestyle and contributed to a world record as part of the U.S. 4x100-meter freestyle relay team. Following her competitive career, she continued her life away from the spotlight, and was later recognized for her contributions to the sport with an induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
2. Early life and career beginnings
Ethel Lackie's journey into competitive swimming began at a very young age, strongly influenced by her family, particularly her father. Her early training and club affiliations quickly established her as a formidable talent in the sport.
2.1. Birth and childhood
Ethel Minnie Lackie was born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 10, 1907. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Lester E. Lackie. Her father, Lester E. Lackie, was himself a highly competent swimmer and insisted that his daughter Ethel begin swimming by the age of three. This early exposure to the sport laid the foundation for her future career. She attended high school at University High in the Hyde Park community of Chicago.
2.2. Early training and club career
Lackie represented the Illinois Athletic Club in competitions, where she was trained by the renowned Hall of Fame coach Bill Bachrach. Bachrach was known for coaching many swimming legends, and notably, he was the men's Olympic head coach for the 1924 Paris Games. Under his guidance, Ethel Lackie achieved significant milestones in her early career, becoming the first woman to break the 60-second barrier for the 100-yard freestyle. She also became the first woman to clock 1 minute, 10.0 seconds for the 100-meter freestyle. Other notable swimmers coached by Bachrach who also won medals at the 1924 Paris Olympics included Johnny Weissmuller, Bob Skelton, Arne Borg, and Sybil Bauer.
3. Major competitive achievements
Ethel Lackie's competitive swimming career was marked by several significant accomplishments, most notably her two gold medals at the 1924 Paris Olympics and multiple world records.
3.1. 1924 Paris Olympics
Lackie represented the United States at the 1924 Summer Olympics held in Paris, France. She was a standout performer, securing two gold medals and contributing to a dominant showing by the American swimming team. The women's Olympic head coach for the U.S. team that year was Louis Handley.
3.1.1. 100m freestyle
Individually, Ethel Lackie won a gold medal in the women's 100-meter freestyle event. She finished the race with an Olympic record time of 1 minute, 12.4 seconds. Her victory was part of an American medal sweep in the event, highlighting the strength of the U.S. women's swimming program at the time.
3.1.2. 4x100m freestyle relay
Lackie earned her second gold medal as a member of the first-place U.S. team in the women's 4x100-meter freestyle relay. Her teammates on this record-setting squad were Euphrasia Donnelly, Gertrude Ederle, and Mariechen Wehselau. In the event final, the U.S. relay team established a new world record with a time of 4 minutes, 58.8 seconds. This record was set on July 20, 1924, and remained unbroken until August 9, 1928.
3.2. Other world records
Beyond her Olympic achievements, Ethel Lackie also set several other American and world records during her career. She established a world record in the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 1 minute, 10.0 seconds on January 28, 1926. This record stood for an extended period until August 7, 1929. The world record set by the 4x100-meter freestyle relay team at the 1924 Paris Olympics, with a combined time of 4 minutes, 58.8 seconds, was held from July 20, 1924, until August 9, 1928.
4. Later life
After concluding her highly successful competitive swimming career, Ethel Lackie transitioned to a private life, eventually marrying and settling down.
4.1. Post-competitive life and marriage
Following her retirement from competitive swimming, Ethel Lackie married Bill Watkins. Bill Watkins was a rower from the Santa Monica area. In her acceptance speech for the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Ethel Lackie noted that her husband had a strong connection to water sports himself. He grew up swimming off the beaches of Santa Monica, spent summers during college working as a lifeguard, held records in paddleboarding events, and won championships in dory rowing.
4.2. Death
Ethel Lackie passed away at the age of 72 in Newbury Park, California, on December 15, 1979.
5. Honors and recognition
Ethel Lackie's significant contributions and achievements in the sport of swimming were formally recognized decades after her competitive career ended.
5.1. International Swimming Hall of Fame
In 1969, Ethel Lackie was inducted as an honor member into the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF). This prestigious recognition acknowledges her lasting legacy and impact as an Olympic champion and world record-holder in the history of swimming.