As of: January 29, 2024, 7:41 a.m
By: Christian Nemeth
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Canadian Betty Brussel set three new world records in a swimming competition - at the age of 99.
Saanich - At the age of 99, that's when life begins - at least that's true in the case of Canadian Betty Brussel.
The senior, who has achieved a certain reputation among amateur swimmers, is still extremely agile even in her old age and has once again made headlines.
At a swimming event in the town of Staanich in the Canadian province of British Columbia, Brussel broke three world records in her age group.
Betty Brussels |
|
|---|---|
Born: |
July 28, 1924 in Amsterdam |
Sport: |
To swim |
World records in the 100 to 104 year old age group: |
400 meter freestyle, 50 meter breaststroke, 50 meter backstroke |
99-year-old breaks swimming world records
In three disciplines - each in the age group 100 to 104 years, with the year of birth being used for determination - Betty Brussel achieved real top performances: In the 400 meter freestyle, she swam around four minutes faster than the previous record holder to thunderous audience applause.
On the same day she also set new best times in the breaststroke and backstroke over 50 meters.
After her triple triumph,
the North American revealed her recipe for success to the British daily newspaper
The Guardian : “When I'm racing, I don't think about anything.
Nothing.
I just count the laps so I know how many more I have left.
I always try to find a pace that I can maintain - these races demand a lot from the body.
And in the last round I give everything I have.”
Three new swimming world records for senior women: Late interest in competitions
Brussel, according to
The Guardian
, was born in the Netherlands in 1924 and learned to swim in the canals near Amsterdam.
In 1959 she moved to Canada with her husband, where she raised their three children.
Betty Brussel only became interested in competitive swimming in her mid-60s, when she took part in the British Columbia Senior Games for the first time.
“I had no idea what I was doing,” she explains, but from then on she fell in love with swimming, Brusell tells the British newspaper and adds: “I really enjoy swimming.
I love the feeling of gliding through the water and it just makes me feel so good.”
Since there are only a few other female swimmers in her age group, the athlete manages to win prizes and records almost regularly.
At home, Brussel tells the
Guardian
, she has a stack of medals that she can barely lift herself.
She further explains: “I don’t even think about the awards.
I just swim.
I just do my best.
If I win, I'm happy to win.
But when I have a good time, I’m happier.”
“With all this attention and these records, I'm starting to be a little proud of myself,” says Betty Brussel, who broke three new swimming world records at the age of 99.
© X/Washington Post
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World record swimmer Betty Brussel: Inspiration for others
With her drive and ambition, even at an advanced age, Brussel naturally creates enthusiasm in many places and is often asked to take a photo with fans at events.
The Guardian
writes that she is also seen as a role model by many at her hometown club
.
Club mate Stanley Wilson, for example, calls Betty Brussel an “inspiration for all other club members”.
Looking at herself and her own physical condition, the swimming record holder reveals: “Sometimes I feel old.
My youngest, who is 70, says: 'Mom, you're old!'
But I don't really feel old - only when I'm really tired.
But the rest of the time I don't feel old." Reflecting on her late fame, Brussel notes: "I'm actually a bit shy, so I gain confidence through the water.
I'm still getting used to all the attention.
But with all this attention and these records, I'm starting to be a little proud of myself." A few months ago, a 104-year-old skydiver from Chicago set a special record, and she died just a week later.
(chnnn)