ISHOF - the world's resource for aquatic history. Swedish TV and French Swimming Federation Thank ISHOF's staff for their help.

Jens Lind and Anna Strandberg with ISHOF librarian Marion Washburn.

Jens Lind and Anna Strandberg came from Stockholm to research the history of the 1912 Olympic Games. Jens called ISHOF a month ago requesting information on Ernst Brandsten and his wife Greta Johannson, Swedish Olympic divers who emigrated to America shortly after the Olympics of 1912. The question in Sweden today is what happened to them? ISHOF provided the answer as both are honorees who donated their scrapbooks and memorabilia when inducted into the Hall in 1966 and 1974.

Starting first at Cal Berkley and then at Stanford, the pair revolutionized American Diving, leading the USA to almost total dominance through the 1950's. Ernst was a four-time US Olympic diving coach. He brought artistry and flair to a sport the rest of the world treated like military gymnastics. He modernized the moveable fulcrum and patented a diving board that was used in Olympic competition from 1924 through 1936. He was the Ray Rude and duraflex company of his day.

"Thank you so much for your help," said Jens. "ISHOF is an absolutely incredible resource and the only place in the world that has the information we needed for our documentary."

The documentary for Swedish TV, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games, is slated to air in June of 2012.

"Ballet Nautiques - the world history of Synchronized Swimming, written for the French Swimming Federation by Eric Lahmy

Today, three years after Eric Lamhy, ISHOF's 1999 Al Schoenfield Award recipient visisted ISHOF, we received a copy of "Ballet Nautiques" - the world history of Synchronized Swimming, that Eric was commissioned to write for the French Swimming Federation. It came with the following inscription:

"To ISHOF, whose help in this project was, simply, ex-tra-or-di-na-ry. Many thanks. Eric Lamhy."

Eric particularly praised ISHOF staff. To see Eric's wonderful letter thanking ISHOF, click here.

It is a magnificent hard cover book loaded with photographs from ISHOF's archive, terms, profiles and biographies of the great stars from the sport of synchronized swimming from Annette Kellerman to Anastasia Davydova and Anastasia Ermakova, Russia's duet champions from Beijing.

While Eric says he hopes the book will be published in english one day, it is currently available only in French and can be ordered from the Federation Francaise de Natation, 148 Avenue Gambetta, Paris, 75020, France. The cost is 35 Euros + shipping. For more information: ffn@ffnatation.fr