Health, Education, Science, Aviation, and Athletics

Helene Madison

25-cent Helene Madison stamp
The Helene Madison stamp was issued on July 6, 1990.

Helene Madison (1913-1970) swam to victory three times during the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, setting records in each event - the Olympic record in the 100-meter freestyle and the world record in the 400-meter freestyle. Helene then joined the U.S. team to set another world record in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay. Over her lifetime, Helene set more than 100 national and world records. She became the only person to ever hold all the U.S. records in women’s freestyle swimming at once. Helene was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1992.