Walter Bathe

Walter Bathe (1 December 1892 – 18 September 1959) was a German breaststroke swimmer. He won gold medals in the 200 m and 400 m breaststroke at the 1912 Summer Olympics, setting Olympic records that lasted until 1924. In 1970 he was inducted to the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Bathe took swimming at age 8 to improve poor health and, at 19, won two Olympic medals. He continued swimming until about 1930, winning six national breaststroke championships, 5 Crown Prince Trophies, and 3 River Oder swims (7.5 km). In 1910, he set two world records in the 100 m breaststroke, at 1:18.4 and 1:17.5.