Mann, Shelley I.
Swimming
b. Oct. 15, 1937, New York, NY
Stricken by polio when she was six years old, Mann began swimming to strengthen her limbs. She entered competitive swimming when she was twelve and within a few years was one of the most versatile swimmers in the world. At one time she held world records in the 100- and 200-meter butterfly, the 100-meter freestyle, and the 400-meter individual medley, and she also won national championships in the backstroke.
As a student at American University in Washington, DC, Mann joined the Walter Reed Swim Club and trained at dawn in a hospital pool used later in the day for patient rehabilitation.
One of the most heralded American swimmers going into the 1956 Olympics, Mann won a gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly and was a member of the 4 x 100-meter freestyle relay team that won a silver medal. She also qualified for the finals of the 100-meter freestyle, finishing sixth.
Mann won national outdoor championships in the 100-meter backstroke and 100-meter butterfly in 1954; and in the 110-yard butterfly, 220-yard butterfly, and 440-yard individual medley in 1956. She was indoor champion in the 100-yard backstroke, 100-yard butterfly, and 400-yard individual medley in 1954; in the 100-yard freestyle, 250-yard freestyle, and 400-yard individual medley in 1955; and in the 100-yard and 200-yard butterfly in 1956.