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	\| club = Illinois Athletic Club		\| club = Illinois Athletic Club
	\| collegeteam = ]		\| collegeteam = ]<br>Freshman team
	\|coach = Bill Bachrach (IAC)<br>Tom Robinson (Northwestern)		\|coach = Bill Bachrach (IAC)<br>Tom Robinson (Northwestern)
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1903\|6\|25\|mf=y}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1903\|6\|25\|mf=y}}
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	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1977\|6\|25\|1903\|6\|25\|mf=y}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1977\|6\|25\|1903\|6\|25\|mf=y}}
	\| death_place = ], U.S.		\| death_place = ], U.S.
	\| height = ~~<!--~~ {{convert\|x\|ft\|xx\|in\|m\|abbr=on}} ~~-->~~		\| height = {{convert\|5\|ft\|3\|in\|m\|abbr=on}}
	\| weight = <!-- {{convert\|xxx\|lb\|kg\|abbr=on}} -->		\| weight = <!-- {{convert\|xxx\|lb\|kg\|abbr=on}} -->
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	'''Robert Danforth Skelton''' (June 25, 1903 – June 25, 1977) was an American competition ], Olympic champion, and former world record-holder.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/51565 \|title=Bob Skelton \|work=Olympedia \|access-date=November 15, 2021}}</ref>		'''Robert Danforth Skelton''' (June 25, 1903 – June 25, 1977) was an American competition ], Olympic champion, and former world record-holder.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/51565 \|title=Bob Skelton \|work=Olympedia \|access-date=November 15, 2021}}</ref>

			===Early life and swimming===
	Skelton was born in ] on June 25, 1903 to Harold Danforth Skelton and Grace Stevens Skelton. He attended to New Trier High School, which notably had one of the first public high school indoor swimming pools. While at New Trier, Robert
		⚫	Skelton was born in ] on June 25, 1903 to Harold Danforth Skelton and Grace Stevens Skelton. He attended ], which by 1913 notably had one of the first public high school indoor swimming pools. While at New Trier, Robert dominated local interscholastic swimming events for several years. During his junior year, he emerged as a top-notch breaststroke swimmer and was a member of the Dolphins, New Trier's male swim team. Skelton graduated New Trier in 1922. He gained much of his subsequent swimming prowess while training and competing with the outstanding swimming program of the Illinois Athletic Club under Hall of Fame Coach ]. Bachrach coached Olympic champion Johnny Weismuller during the years Skelton was active with the club.<ref name=ISHOF/><ref name=wilmette>{{cite web\|url=https://www.wilmette.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2365/Bobby-Skelton-Olympic-Swimmer-062824-1\|title=Wilmette History, Bob Skelton, Gold Medal Swimmer\|website=www.wilmette.gov\|access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref>
	dominated local interscholastic swimming event for several years. During his junior year, he emerged as a top-notch breaststroke
⚫	swimmer and was a member of the Dolphins, New Trier's male ~~swimmers~~. Skelton graduated New Trier in 1922. He gained much of his subsequent swimming prowess while training and competing with the outstanding swimming program of the Illinois Athletic Club under Hall of Fame Coach ]. Bachrach coached Olympic champion Johnny Weismuller during the years Skelton was active with the club.<ref name=ISHOF/><ref name=wilmette>{{cite web\|url=https://www.wilmette.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2365/Bobby-Skelton-Olympic-Swimmer-062824-1\|title=Wilmette History, Bob Skelton, Gold Medal Swimmer\|website=www.wilmette.gov\|access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref>

	By 1922, excelling in distance competition, Skelton held world records in the 200 and 440 yard breaststroke events. In outdoor competition, he held records in 200 and 400-meter breaststroke event.<ref>"Over Thirty to Be in Contests", ''Kenosha News'', Kenosha, Wisconsin, 6 December 1922, pg. 17</ref>		By 1922, excelling in distance competition, Skelton held world records in the 200 and 440 yard breaststroke events. In outdoor competition, he held records in 200 and 400-meter breaststroke event.<ref>"Over Thirty to Be in Contests", ''Kenosha News'', Kenosha, Wisconsin, 6 December 1922, pg. 17</ref>

			===Northwestern University===
	Beginning in 1923, he attended ] in Evanston, Illinois, where he swam for the ] Freshman swimming and diving team in ] (NCAA) competition under Hall of Fame Coach Tom Robinson.<ref name=Robinson>{{cite web\|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Harry_Hebner&action=edit\|title=International Swimming Hall of Fame, Bob Skelton\|website=ishof.org\|access-date=25 December 2024}}</ref> Skelton was suspended for two weeks from Northwestern during his Freshman year for taking a date to a Dance Hall that was not on the school's approved list. After his suspension ended, he did not return to Northwestern for his Sophomore year.<ref name=~~Wilmette~~/>		Beginning in 1923, he attended ] in Evanston, Illinois, where he swam for the ] Freshman swimming and diving team in ] (NCAA) competition under Hall of Fame Coach Tom Robinson.<ref name=Robinson>{{cite web\|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Harry_Hebner&action=edit\|title=International Swimming Hall of Fame, Bob Skelton\|website=ishof.org\|access-date=25 December 2024}}</ref> Skelton was suspended for two weeks from Northwestern during his Freshman year for taking a date to a Dance Hall that was not on the school's approved list. After his suspension ended, he did not return to Northwestern for his Sophomore year.<ref name=wilmette/>

	In his career, Skelton set a world record in the 200-meter breaststroke, held several AAU National Championships, and set nine American records.<ref name=ISHOF>{{cite web\|url=https://ishof.org/honoree/honoree-robert-skelton/\|title=International Swimming Hall of Fame, Robert Skelton\|website=ishof.org\|access-date=25 December 2024}}</ref> In March 1924, at a meet in Milwaukee ~~in March, 1924~~, Robert broke the 200-meter breaststroke world record, previously held by Germany's Erich ~~Rodemacher~~.<ref name=~~Wilmette~~/>		In his career, Skelton set a world record in the 200-meter breaststroke, held several AAU National Championships, and set nine American records.<ref name=ISHOF>{{cite web\|url=https://ishof.org/honoree/honoree-robert-skelton/\|title=International Swimming Hall of Fame, Robert Skelton\|website=ishof.org\|access-date=25 December 2024}}</ref> On March 21, 1924, at a meet in Milwaukee, Robert broke the 200-meter breaststroke world record, previously held by Germany's Erich Rademacher.<ref name=wilmette/>

	===1924 Olympic gold===		===1924 Olympic gold===
	At the June 1924 Olympic trials in Indianapolis, Robert won the 200-meter event, breaking his own U.S. record but falling short of the new world record set by Eric ~~Rodemacher~~.<ref name=wilmette/>		At the June 1924 Olympic trials in Indianapolis, Robert won the 200-meter event, breaking his own U.S. record but falling short of the new world record set by Eric Rademacher.<ref name=wilmette/>

			Showing mastery in the preliminary heats for the 200-meter breaststroke at the ] in Paris, he broke the Olympic record by almost six seconds with a time of 2:56.3 in his first heat. The following day, he won his semifinal, only four seconds off his record-setting pace.<ref name=wilmette/>
⚫	~~Skelton competed at~~ the ~~] in Paris~~, ~~where~~ he won a gold medal in the ] event. Skelton finished in 2:56.6, decisively defeating Belgian swimmer ] (2:59.2), and fellow American ] (3:01.0). He was the first American to set a world record for the 200-meter breaststroke.<ref name=Olympedia>{{cite web\|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/51565\|title=Olympedia Biography, Bob Skelton\|website=olympedia.org\|access-date=25 December 2024}}</ref>

		⚫	In the final heat, he won the gold medal in the ] event. Skelton finished in 2:56.6, decisively defeating Belgian swimmer ] (2:59.2), and fellow American ] (3:01.0). He was the first American to set a world record for the 200-meter breaststroke.<ref name=Olympedia>{{cite web\|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/51565\|title=Olympedia Biography, Bob Skelton\|website=olympedia.org\|access-date=25 December 2024}}</ref>
⚫	In August of 1926, Skelton was diagnosed with typhoid fever and was treated at Evanston Hospital, continuing to recuperate through the end of 1926.<ref name=typhoid>"Skelton Has Typhoid Fever", ''Chicago Tribune,'' Chicago, Illinois, 19 August 1926, pg. 13</ref>
	He continued to compete after recovering from typhoid fever, and qualified for the 1928 Olympic team.<ref name=Olympedia/>

		⚫	In August of 1926, Skelton was diagnosed with typhoid fever and after sinking into critical condition was treated at Evanston Hospital, continuing to recuperate through the end of 1926.<ref name=typhoid>"Skelton Has Typhoid Fever", ''Chicago Tribune,'' Chicago, Illinois, 19 August 1926, pg. 13</ref> He continued to compete after recovering from typhoid fever, and qualified for the 1928 Olympic team.<ref name=Olympedia/>
⚫	In 1929, Skelton married Elizabeth E. Railton Skelton of Houston. He subsequently relocated to Houston and worked with construction and insurance firms. At the age of 38, in 1942, he enlisted in the Navy, serving for three years in the South Pacific, and was later decorated with the silver star combat medal. Little can be found about his life in Houston.<ref name=~~Wilmette~~/>

			===Later life===
		⚫	In 1929, Skelton married Elizabeth E. Railton Skelton of Houston. He subsequently relocated to Houston and worked with construction and insurance firms. At the age of 38, in 1942, he enlisted in the Navy, serving for three years as a Chief Motor Machinist Mate (CMMOM) in the South Pacific, and was later decorated with the silver star combat medal. Little can be found about his subsequent post-war life in Houston.<ref name=wilmette/>

	He died in ] in 1977 at the age of 74.<ref name=Olympedia/>		He died in ] in 1977 at the age of 74.<ref name=Olympedia/>

			===Honors===
			In 1994, Northwestern University admitted Robert into its Athletic Hall of Fame as a posthumous honor.<ref name=wilmette/>

	==See also==		==See also==

Latest revision as of 22:58, 26 December 2024

American swimmer (1903–1977)

Bob Skelton

Ralph Breyer, Bob Skelton, Johnny Weissmuller, c. 1925

Personal information

Full name

Robert Danforth Skelton

National team

United States

Born

(1903-06-25)June 25, 1903
Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.

Died

June 25, 1977(1977-06-25) (aged 74)
Houston, Texas, U.S.

Height

5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)

Sport

Swimming

Strokes

Breaststroke

Club

Illinois Athletic Club

College team

Northwestern University
Freshman team

Coach

Bill Bachrach (IAC)
Tom Robinson (Northwestern)

Medal record

Men's swimming

Representing the United States
Olympic Games
	1924 Paris	200 m breaststroke

Robert Danforth Skelton (June 25, 1903 – June 25, 1977) was an American competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and former world record-holder.

Early life and swimming

Skelton was born in Wilmette, Illinois on June 25, 1903 to Harold Danforth Skelton and Grace Stevens Skelton. He attended New Trier High School, which by 1913 notably had one of the first public high school indoor swimming pools. While at New Trier, Robert dominated local interscholastic swimming events for several years. During his junior year, he emerged as a top-notch breaststroke swimmer and was a member of the Dolphins, New Trier's male swim team. Skelton graduated New Trier in 1922. He gained much of his subsequent swimming prowess while training and competing with the outstanding swimming program of the Illinois Athletic Club under Hall of Fame Coach Bill Bachrach. Bachrach coached Olympic champion Johnny Weismuller during the years Skelton was active with the club.

By 1922, excelling in distance competition, Skelton held world records in the 200 and 440 yard breaststroke events. In outdoor competition, he held records in 200 and 400-meter breaststroke event.

Northwestern University

Beginning in 1923, he attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he swam for the Northwestern Wildcats Freshman swimming and diving team in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competition under Hall of Fame Coach Tom Robinson. Skelton was suspended for two weeks from Northwestern during his Freshman year for taking a date to a Dance Hall that was not on the school's approved list. After his suspension ended, he did not return to Northwestern for his Sophomore year.

In his career, Skelton set a world record in the 200-meter breaststroke, held several AAU National Championships, and set nine American records. On March 21, 1924, at a meet in Milwaukee, Robert broke the 200-meter breaststroke world record, previously held by Germany's Erich Rademacher.

1924 Olympic gold

At the June 1924 Olympic trials in Indianapolis, Robert won the 200-meter event, breaking his own U.S. record but falling short of the new world record set by Eric Rademacher.

Showing mastery in the preliminary heats for the 200-meter breaststroke at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, he broke the Olympic record by almost six seconds with a time of 2:56.3 in his first heat. The following day, he won his semifinal, only four seconds off his record-setting pace.

In the final heat, he won the gold medal in the men's 200-meter breaststroke event. Skelton finished in 2:56.6, decisively defeating Belgian swimmer Joseph De Combe (2:59.2), and fellow American Bill Kirschbaum (3:01.0). He was the first American to set a world record for the 200-meter breaststroke.

In August of 1926, Skelton was diagnosed with typhoid fever and after sinking into critical condition was treated at Evanston Hospital, continuing to recuperate through the end of 1926. He continued to compete after recovering from typhoid fever, and qualified for the 1928 Olympic team.

Later life

In 1929, Skelton married Elizabeth E. Railton Skelton of Houston. He subsequently relocated to Houston and worked with construction and insurance firms. At the age of 38, in 1942, he enlisted in the Navy, serving for three years as a Chief Motor Machinist Mate (CMMOM) in the South Pacific, and was later decorated with the silver star combat medal. Little can be found about his subsequent post-war life in Houston.

He died in Houston, Texas in 1977 at the age of 74.

Honors

In 1994, Northwestern University admitted Robert into its Athletic Hall of Fame as a posthumous honor.

References

"Bob Skelton". Olympedia. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
^ "International Swimming Hall of Fame, Robert Skelton". ishof.org. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
^ "Wilmette History, Bob Skelton, Gold Medal Swimmer". www.wilmette.gov. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
"Over Thirty to Be in Contests", Kenosha News, Kenosha, Wisconsin, 6 December 1922, pg. 17
"International Swimming Hall of Fame, Bob Skelton". ishof.org. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
^ "Olympedia Biography, Bob Skelton". olympedia.org. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
"Skelton Has Typhoid Fever", Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, 19 August 1926, pg. 13

Sources

Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Bob Skelton". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020.
Robert Skelton (USA) – Honor Pioneer Swimmer profile at International Swimming Hall of Fame

Records
Preceded by Erich Rademacher	Men's 200-meter breaststroke world record-holder (long course) March 21, 1924 – April 7, 1924	Succeeded by Erich Rademacher

v t e 1924 USA Olympic swimming team
Men's Team	Ralph Breyer Harry Glancy Dick Howell Duke Kahanamoku Samuel Kahanamoku Warren Kealoha Bill Kirschbaum Henry Luning Wally O'Connor Bob Skelton Adam Smith Lester Smith Johnny Weissmuller Paul Wyatt
Women's Team	Sybil Bauer Florence Chambers Eleanor Coleman Euphrasia Donnelly Gertrude Ederle Agnes Geraghty Ethel Lackie Martha Norelius Aileen Riggin Matilda Scheurich Helen Wainwright Mariechen Wehselau

v t e Olympic champions in men's 200 m breaststroke
1908: Frederick Holman (GBR) 1912: Walter Bathe (GER) 1920: Håkan Malmrot (SWE) 1924: Bob Skelton (USA) 1928: Yoshiyuki Tsuruta (JPN) 1932: Yoshiyuki Tsuruta (JPN) 1936: Tetsuo Hamuro (JPN) 1948: Joe Verdeur (USA) 1952: John Davies (AUS) 1956: Masaru Furukawa (JPN) 1960: Bill Mulliken (USA) 1964: Ian O'Brien (AUS) 1968: Felipe Muñoz (MEX) 1972: John Hencken (USA) 1976: David Wilkie (GBR) 1980: Robertas Žulpa (URS) 1984: Victor Davis (CAN) 1988: József Szabó (HUN) 1992: Mike Barrowman (USA) 1996: Norbert Rózsa (HUN) 2000: Domenico Fioravanti (ITA) 2004: Kosuke Kitajima (JPN) 2008: Kosuke Kitajima (JPN) 2012: Dániel Gyurta (HUN) 2016: Dmitriy Balandin (KAZ) 2020: Zac Stubblety-Cook (AUS) 2024: Léon Marchand (FRA)

Olympic champions in men's 200 m breaststroke