Two weeks ago I wrote about Duke Kahanamoku’s first year in competitive swimming. In 11 months he went from entering his first swimming contest in August 1911 to winning the gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle swim at the Stockholm Olympics in July 1912. One reader asked about his later years as a swimmer, as he was looking to see what to do with his career.
Duke and ‘city fathers’ Claudia MacLoud asked about an article she read that said that Kahanamoku needed to ask for release from “city fathers” so he could compete in the Olympics. “The article mentioned his request was refused because the ‘city fathers’ wanted to keep him local as a tourist attraction and earn money from his fame. “Have you heard about a reluctance to release Duke from his city obligations so that he could become an Olympian competitor?” From swimmer to superintendent First, some background.
When Kahanamoku came home after the 1912 Olympics, the city bought him a house on Black Point to show its appreciation. The 1916 Olympics were canceled due to World War I. The 1920 Games were held in Antwerp, Belgium, where he won gold medals in the 100-meter swim and 4×100 relay.
Kahanamoku returned to the Olympics in 1924, where he won a silver medal in the 100-meter freestyle. He broke the world record again, but Johnny Weissmuller beat him and the record. His brother Sam Kahanamoku came in third.
Kahanamoku biographer Sandy Hall said MacLoud’s question was really about the 1928 and 1932.