Gwitha Shand - Olympian and World Record holder

A DigitalNZ Story by squiggle_top

Gwitha Shand represented New Zealand in swimming at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris.

Gwitha Shand, swimming, Olympic Games

gwitha shand - Olympian and world record holder 

  • 1920: Although Gwitha Shand was in the original list of nominations for New Zealand representatives at the the 1920 Olympics, in the end, she was not selected for the final team of four to represent New Zealand at Antwerp (Violet Walrond went to these games). 
  • 1922: Gwitha Shand set a new world record in Honolulu for the 440 yard freestyle race. 
  • 1924: Gwitha Shand represented New Zealand in Paris, at the 1924 Olympics, swimming in both 100 metre and 440 yard freestyle events. 

New World Record

In Honolulu, Gwitha Shand set a new world record for free style 440 yards with a time of 6min 14 2.5 seconds.

WORLD SWIMMING RECORD (Evening Post, 19 October 1922)

National Library of New Zealand

Spectacular performance in Honolulu

Despite minimal training in the event lead-up, Gwitha Shand set a new world record.

FAST SWIMMING (Evening Post, 20 October 1922)

National Library of New Zealand

hopeful for 1920 olympic games 

Ahead of the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Violet Walrond and Gwitha Shand competed in the first NZ championships in 1918 and were both named in the initial team of seven Olympic athletes for the games. However, in the end only 4 athletes were selected to travel, and Gwitha missed out. 

Image: Group at the first New Zealand junior and intermediate championships, Wanganui

1918 - first NZ championships held in Wanganui

Two future Olympians - Gwitha Shand (bottom row, 2nd from right) & Violet Walrond (bottom row, 3rd from right)

Group at the first New Zealand junior and intermediate championships, Wanganui

Alexander Turnbull Library

Shand and Walrond nominated for 1920 Olympic team

OLYMPIC GAMES (Northern Advocate, 23 March 1920)

National Library of New Zealand

Public appeal for funding

With a potential team of 7 Olympic athletes, a public appeal to support their voyage to Antwerp was launched.

OLYMPIAD. (Colonist, 06 April 1920)

National Library of New Zealand

7 nominations for the 1920 team

Only 4 athletes were eventually selected to represent New Zealand at the Antwerp Olympic Games

NEW ZEALAND OLYMPIAD TEAM. (Northern Advocate, 09 April 1920)

National Library of New Zealand

selected for 1924 olympic games in paris

After success in national and international events, Gwitha was selected as a NZ swimming representative for the 1924 games. 

Image: Olympians Gwitha Shand and Violet Walrond

1923 - in Sydney at a swimming championship event

Violet Shand competed in Antwerp (1920 Olympics) and Gwitha Shand competed in Paris (1924 Olympics)

Olympians Gwitha Shand and Violet Walrond

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Reports from Auckland provincial championships

Gwitha Shand equalled the current NZ record for the 100 yard event

RECORD TIMES (Evening Post, 10 January 1924)

National Library of New Zealand

1924 Olympic Team nominations announced

Two women from Christchurch, Gwitha Shand (100m and 400m ladies' championship); E. C. Heard (200m breaststroke)

OLYMPIC GAMES. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 11 March 1924)

National Library of New Zealand

Brilliant swimmer off to Paris

The Olympic Council confirmed a berth for Gwitha Shand to travel to Paris.

MISS SHAND TO LEAVE ON THURSDAY. (Evening Post, 05 May 1924)

National Library of New Zealand

100m final in freestyle

Reports that Gwitha Shand was not in good form, failing to make the finals event.

WOMEN'S EVENTS (Evening Post, 21 July 1924)

National Library of New Zealand

Places second in longer event

Gwitha Shand placed second in the 440 freestyle event

OLYMPIC SWIMMERS (Evening Post, 28 July 1924)

National Library of New Zealand

Olympians celebrated on their return home

AND INTERNATIONAL SPIRIT (Evening Post, 30 September 1924)

National Library of New Zealand