Ellen Elizabeth King
16 January 1909 – February 1994
Olympic Silver Medallist
Ellen King was an outstanding swimmer who won six British swimming championships, two world records and two silver medals in the 1928 Olympics.
Born in Renfrew, she spent most of her life in Edinburgh where she became a member of the Warrender Baths Club. She represented Britain at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, finishing 6th in the 100 yards backstroke, despite being ill. She went on to the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam to win two silver medals in the Amsterdam Olympics, for the 150 yards backstroke and the ladies relay race. Ellen won further medals at the first British Empire Games held in Canada in 1930; a silver in the 100 yards freestyle, a bronze in the 200 yard breaststroke and, in a team with Cissie Stewart and Jean McDowell, a further bronze in the 4×100 yards freestyle relay.
During her career, Ellen won all the Scottish Championship titles from 50 to 440 yards, and won six British Championships
In 1927 and 1928 she broke the world records for the 220 yards breaststroke and the 150 yards backstroke.
After her amateur career, Ellen used her expertise and experience to teach swimming in Edinburgh school and continued to swim until after her 80th birthday.
In 2002 she was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, which was established to inspire new generations of Scottish sports people.
To make your own nomination download the nomination form here