Golden oldie

Thursday 26th June 2008


Sixty years after making a splash at the 1948 Olympics, an 80-year-old grandmother-of-seven was again celebrating after picking up three gold medals and two silvers at the British Masters Swimming Championships in Manchester.

Competing in the 80-85 age category, Halter finished ahead of the field in the 50m and 100m front crawl and the 100m backstroke to add to her already considerable haul of silverware in British and European Masters competitions.

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And, in common with her younger colleagues, the Alyth Synagogue member had to come through a vigorous schedule to achieve such heights “There were two races in the morning one after the other and two races in the afternoon,” said Susan, who was representing Camden Swiss Cottage SC.

“I swam the 200m backstroke and immediately afterwards had to change for the 50 freestyle where I battled against another lady of exactly the same age. We recorded the same time and both got gold.” And despite admitting that the race left her “absolutely exhausted”, she said her multiple triumphs in the country’s premier long-course event for older swimmers left her with a “wonderful” feeling.

Last weekend, however, was far from the first taste of sporting success for Susan. The octogenarian is believed to be the only female Masters swimmer who is still competing having swum at the last London Olympics in 1948 – where she represented Hungary just three years after remaining concealed with false papers fleeing her native country during the War. In addition to regular domestic meets, Susan has competed in no less than 17 European and World Masters Championships and her extensive Maccabiah career began in 1950 with four gold medals.

Asked whether life starts at 80, Susan - who continues to train every morning while most people are still asleep – told the Jewish News: “No, it just continues. I just feel one has to live and enjoy one’s life. I like to swim every day, it keeps me well and happy and gives a sense of achievement. I think everybody should do physical activity or get stiff in joints.” And the 2006 winner of the Maccabi GB Lifetime Achievement Award, who has no plans to retire from swimming, said she would like to look into the possibility of competing at the next Maccabiah in 2009.

But it seems her training regime doesn’t prevent her enjoying some tasty treats. Asked how they celebrated, her husband Roman said: “We went for a Chinese meal but it wasn’t as good as Susan’s cooking.”








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