Ford, Alan R.
Swimming
b. Dec. 7, 1923, Canal Zone, Panama
His career was interrupted by military service during World War II, so Ford didn't win as many championships as some other outstanding swimmers, but the times he turned in prove his greatness. In 1943, he swam the 100-yard freestyle in 50.7 seconds to break Johnny Weismuller's record, which had been set in 1927. Ford lowered the record five times in the next two years. His final mark of 49.4, set in 1945, stood until 1952. Ford also broke the world record for the 100-meter freestyle twice.
Competing for Yale in 1944, he became only the third swimmer to win three individual championships at the NCAA meet; he won the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events and the 150-yard backstroke. Ford was the national outdoor champion in the 110-yard freestyle in 1942 and 1943, and in the 220-yard freestyle in 1943. Indoors, he won the 220-yard championship in 1942, the 100-yard in 1943.
After serving in the Navy, he returned to competition briefly in 1948--just long enough to win a silver medal in the Olympic 100-meter freestyle.