Bill Kirschbaum: Difference between revisions

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| strokes = [[Breaststroke]]

| strokes = [[Breaststroke]]

| club = Hui Makami Club

| club = Hui Makami Club

| coach = Harvey P. Chilton (Hui Makami)

| collegeteam =

| collegeteam =

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1902|11|5|mf=y}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1902|11|5|mf=y}}

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”’William Thomas Kirschbaum”’ (November 5, 1902 – April 29, 1953) was an American competition [[Swimming (sport)|swimmer]] and 1924 Paris Olympic medalist in the 200-meter breaststroke.<ref name=Olympedia/>

”’William Thomas Kirschbaum”’ (November 5, 1902 – April 29, 1953) was an American competition [[Swimming (sport)|swimmer]] and 1924 Paris Olympic medalist in the 200-meter breaststroke.<ref name=Olympedia/>

Kirschbaum was born in Maine on November 15, 1902, but was raised in Hawaii where he swam for the Hui Makani Swim Club. He lived in California in later life. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/51447|title=Olympedia, Bill Kirschbaum|website=olympedia.org|access-date=21 October 2024}}</ref>

Kirschbaum was born in Maine on November 15, 1902, but in Hawaii where he swam for the Hui Makani Swim Club. He lived in California in later life. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/51447|title=Olympedia, Bill Kirschbaum|website=olympedia.org|access-date=21 October 2024}}</ref>

At the Hawaiian Olympic swimming meet in Honolulu, swimming for the Hui Makani team on April 13, 1924, Kirschbaum broke his own record in the 200-meter breast stroke with a time of 3:02.1, breaking the standing American record, and qualifying for the U.S. Olympic trials.<ref>Jay, Mike, “Two World Swim Records Broken During Week-End”, ”Honolulu Star-Bulletin”, Honolulu, Hawaii, 14 April 1924, pg. 22</ref>

At the Hawaiian Olympic swimming meet in Honolulu, swimming for the Hui Makani team on April 13, 1924, Kirschbaum broke his own record in the 200-meter breast stroke with a time of 3:02.1, breaking the standing American record, and qualifying for the U.S. Olympic trials.<ref>Jay, Mike, “Two World Swim Records Broken During Week-End”, ”Honolulu Star-Bulletin”, Honolulu, Hawaii, 14 April 1924, pg. 22</ref>

Kirschbaum set another record in Palo Alto at a “Far Western” Try out at Searsville, Lake, the training location for Stanford University. The official American olympic trial location for the men’s swimming team was in Indianapolis, Indiana.<ref name=record>{{cite web|url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/the-paris-olympic-century-100-years-makes-a-major-difference-in-u-s-olympic-qualification/|title=Swimming World Magazine, The Paris Olympic Century, 100 years makes a major difference|website=swimmingworldmagazine.com|access-date=21 October 2024}}</ref>

Kirschbaum set another record in Palo Alto at a “Far Western” Try out at Searsville, Lake, the training location for Stanford University. The official American olympic trial location for the men’s swimming team was in Indianapolis, Indiana.<ref name=record>{{cite web|url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/the-paris-olympic-century-100-years-makes-a-major-difference-in-u-s-olympic-qualification/|title=Swimming World Magazine, The Paris Olympic Century, 100 years makes a major difference|website=swimmingworldmagazine.com|access-date=21 October 2024}}</ref>

===1924 Olympic Bronze medal===

===1924 Olympic Bronze medal===

American swimmer (1902–1953)

William Thomas Kirschbaum (November 5, 1902 – April 29, 1953) was an American competition swimmer and 1924 Paris Olympic medalist in the 200-meter breaststroke.^[1]

Kirschbaum was born in Maine on November 15, 1902, but spent time in Hawaii where he swam for the Hui Makani Swim Club. He served time with the U.S. Navy and swam for their team, which resulted in him spending time in Hawaii. He lived in California in later life.^[2][3]

At the Hawaiian Olympic swimming meet in Honolulu, swimming for the Hui Makani team on April 13, 1924, Kirschbaum broke his own record in the 200-meter breast stroke with a time of 3:02.1, breaking the standing American record, and qualifying for the U.S. Olympic trials.^[4] In the 1920’s, and in preparation for the 1924 Olympics, the Hui Makani Club was coached primarily by Harvey Porter Chilton.^[5] By June of 1924, Kirschbaum was considered the Hawaiian contingents strongest Olympic prospect in the breaststroke.^[2]

Kirschbaum set another record in Palo Alto at a “Far Western” Try out at Searsville, Lake, the training location for Stanford University, swimming the event in 3:00.2. The official American olympic trial location for the men’s swimming team was in Indianapolis, Indiana.^[6]

1924 Olympic Bronze medal

At the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, he received the bronze medal for his third-place performance in the men’s 200-meter breaststroke event, finishing in a time of 3:01.0, only about a second behind silver medalist Joseph de Combe of Belgium.^[1] American Gold medalist Bob Skelton won the event in a time of 2:56.6, but had set an Olympic record in the first heat. His final time was six seconds short of the standing world record.^[7]

After an illness of around two months, Kirschbaum died at his home on Cambridge Road in Belmont, California, three miles South of San Mateo, on April 29, 1953. He had been working as a buyer for Matson Navigation Lines. He was survived by his widow Adele, and two children. A memorial service was held on Saturday, May 2 at the White Oaks Chapel in San Carlos.^[8]

See also

References

External links