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Cape Town - Former South African swimming star Karen Muir has lost her battle against breast cancer. She was 60.
Muir, born in Kimberley, became the youngest person to break a sporting world record in any swimming discipline when she swam the 110 yards backstroke in 1:08.7 at the ASA National Junior Championships in Blackpool, England, aged 12 years, 10 months, and 25 days.
She would go on to set 15 world records in the backstroke at 100m, 200m, 110 yards, and 220 yards.
She also won 22 South African Championships and three US National Championships.
Due to the sporting boycott of South Africa during her career, she wasn't able to participate in an Olympic Games.
She was elected to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1980.
After retiring from her sport, she qualified as a doctor before emigrating to Canada.
Muir, born in Kimberley, became the youngest person to break a sporting world record in any swimming discipline when she swam the 110 yards backstroke in 1:08.7 at the ASA National Junior Championships in Blackpool, England, aged 12 years, 10 months, and 25 days.
She would go on to set 15 world records in the backstroke at 100m, 200m, 110 yards, and 220 yards.
She also won 22 South African Championships and three US National Championships.
Due to the sporting boycott of South Africa during her career, she wasn't able to participate in an Olympic Games.
She was elected to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1980.
After retiring from her sport, she qualified as a doctor before emigrating to Canada.
