Peter Joseph FICK

Peter Fick swam for Yale and the New York Athletic Club. He never won an NCAA title at Yale, which is unusual in that he dominated American sprint swimming from 1934-39. Fick was AAU Champion in the 100 metres outdoors in 1935-38 and indoors in the 100 yards in 1935-39. He won AAU 4x100 yard relay titles with the NYAC in 1934-36. Fick set three world records for the 100 metres. In 1934 he broke Johnny Weissmuller’s vaunted record of 57.4 from 1924, recording 56.8, and he improved that in 1935 with 56.6, and in 1936 with 56.4. He went to the 1936 Olympics a slight favorite in the 100 freestyle, but placed sixth, although American officials disputed the finish and thought he may actually have been a medalist. In 1938 Fick swam anchor on an American 4x100 metre relay that broke the world record (3:59.2) and became the first relay team to better four minutes for the distance. Fick would have been favored at the 1940 Olympics in the 100 freestyle but never had that opportunity.

Fick served in the Navy during World War II, teaching officers to swim. He became a well-known radio actor in New York, and appeared in cigarette ads in newspapers. Fick eventually settled in Miami in the 1950s, where he taught swimming and ran recreational programs at several hotels. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1978.