Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
British swimmer who won Olympic gold in the 100m backstroke at the 1956 Melbourne Games, ending Britain's 24-year wait for a swimming gold.
On the island
Eight records
Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor
But as he said, um the only pop music I had was that.
Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated
That reminds me of a very happy wonderful at the weekend.
Lullaby of BirdlandFavourite
She's the only singer in the world I would like to be, and I think her recording of 'Lullaby of Birdland' is wonderful.
The keepsakes
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:11How old were you when you started swimming?
Well, I started splashing around without without my rubber ring when I was eight and I j I joined my club really as a hobby when I was eleven.
Presenter asks
0:21What was the very first competitive event you took part in?
Well, I think it was a club event and I I came in a very poor last splashing miles behind me.
Presenter asks
0:29When did you really start training, seriously?
Well, I never really um thought about training seriously. I was entered for small events and I used to train for those, then entered for a larger event and you know, train hard for those. But I suppose the r really most training I've ever done was before the Olympic Games.
Presenter asks
0:46When did you first swim abroad?
He was in Denmark. Um I swam for England. It was my second international. And, um, I think it was nineteen fifty five.
The luxury
Not recorded.
Presenter asks
1:31It was a very close race, wasn't it?
Yes, it was very close. Um the girl who was second, American girl Karen Cohn, she did the same time as I did and Margaret Ebbers, the British girl who was third, um was only a fifth of a second behind.
Presenter asks
1:53During the ten minutes before the result was given, were you confident you had won?
Oh no, I had the faintest idea who was when all I cared was that it was over.
Presenter asks
2:05Are you very nervous before a race?
Well, I suppose I am. People say I don't show it, but I'm always nervous inside. But, um, it's always best to be nervous because I think that helps really.
Presenter asks
2:15Are you superstitious, Judy? Have you a mascot you travel with you?
Yes, I have I usually carry a black cat around with me and I usually wear Saint Christopher.
“Well, um I left school um a term before I should have done. But, um, I was doing about five hours a day, I think, altogether.”
“Well it certainly paid off because you won us the first swimming gold medal for 24 years, established a new Olympic record for the 100 metres backstroke. It was a very close race, wasn't it? Yes, it was very close. Um the girl who was second, American girl Karen Cohn, she did the same time as I did and Margaret Ebbers, the British girl who was third, um was only a fifth of a second behind.”