Walter Bathe

Swimmer Walter Bathe won two gold medals in the 200 and 400 breaststroke at the 1912 Olympics. He set two world records in 1910 in the 100 breaststroke with 1:18.4 and 1:17.8. In 1911, 1912, 1916 and 1917 he was German Champion in the 100 breast. Bathe won over 600 swim trophies in his long career but the two gold medals he received from the King of Sweden were the only awards which survived World War II because he carried them on his person.

After World War II Bathe lived in Augsburg, and by profession was a pharmacist. He died from a stroke while swimming in the Mediterranean Sea during a holiday. In 1970 Bathe was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.