Marilyn Bell crawls ashore after swimming the English Channel, 1955. Image by Norman James. Courtesy of the Toronto Star Archives.
File information | File dimensions | File size | Options |
Original JPG File | 1920 × 1536 pixels (2.95 MP) 16.3 cm × 13 cm @ 300 PPI |
630 KB | Restricted |
Screen | 1000 × 800 pixels (0.8 MP) 8.5 cm × 6.8 cm @ 300 PPI |
182 KB | Restricted |
Resource ID
8437
Access
Open
Credit Line
Toronto Star Archives
Date of Creation
1955
Keywords
swimming, sports history, sports, Marilyn Bell
Program Category
Tours
Rights
Public Domain
Caption
Marilyn Bell crawls ashore after swimming the English Channel, 1955. Image by Norman James. Courtesy of the Toronto Star Archives.
Description
After successfully swimming across Lake Ontario in 1954, Marilyn Bell was back in the pool training and teaching. In 1955, she gained even greater fame by swimming the English Channel. Starting in France, she was accompanied by her coach Gus Ryder, who followed her by boat and provided both nourishment (including cups of corn syrup) and encouragement. Onlookers celebrated as Bell reached the shore of England. On hearing of Marilyn’s victory, Premier Leslie Frost sent a personal congratulations from all the people of Ontario. On returning home to Toronto, Torontonians held a parade to celebrate her great triumph. Bell’s remarkable accomplishment has stood the test of time, inspiring future generations of swimmers. In 1984, Bell unveiled a plaque during the opening of a waterfront park, which was named in her honour.