Sylvia Ruuska

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Medal record
Sylvia Ruuska
Sylvia Ruuska
Women's Swimming
Competitor for Flag of the United States United States
Olympic Games
Silver 1956 Melbourne 4x100 m Freestyle
Bronze 1956 Melbourne 400 m Freestyle

Sylvia Elina Ruuska (born July 4, 1942) is a retired medley and freestyle swimmer from the United States, who won two Olympic medals at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia when she was aged fourteen. She captured silver with the women's relay team in the 4x100 m freestyle and bronze in the individual 400 m freestyle. On June 27, 1958 she became the first woman to set an official world record in the 400 m individual medley, clocking 5:46.6 at a swimming meet in Los Angeles, California. She is of Finnish origin.

Records
Preceded by
Flag of the United States Becky Collins
Women's 200 metre individual medley
world record holder (long course)

August 16, 1958May 13, 1961
Succeeded by
Flag of the United States Donna de Varona
Preceded by
Incumbent
Women's 400 metre individual medley
world record holder (long course)

June 27, 1958July 15, 1960
Succeeded by
Flag of the United States Donna de Varona
Languages