Charles Chapman (swimmer)
Charles "Charlie the Tuna" Chapman, of Buffalo, New York, was an African-American distance swimmer specializing in the butterfly stroke.
In 1981, he became the first black swimmer to cross the English Channel.[1]
In 1988, he earned a world record by circumnavigating the island of Manhattan, 28.5 miles, in 9 hours, 25 minutes and 8 seconds.[2] The previous year, L.A. Dodgers vice president Al Campanis had stated that blacks couldn't swim because their bones were too heavy; Chapman, in response, said, "I'm like Jackie Robinson paving the way, except I'll be wearing a little bathing suit",[3] and ""Silly stuff like that, some people believe. Hell, you watch me swim around Manhattan".[4]
He went on to complete butterfly-only swims from Alcatraz to Aquatic Park in San Francisco, around Alcatraz Island, and, in 1997, completed the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim.[5]
In 1993, Chapman was sentenced to two years and nine months in federal prison, the minimum under sentencing guidelines, for his part in conspiracy to sell five ounces of cocaine.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ "Twenty One Historic Black "Firsts" In Swimming History – Questions and answers". International Swimming Hall of Fame. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ↑ "Buffalo's Own Charlie "The Tuna" Chapman Marks 34th Anniversary of Historic English Channel Swim". Challenger Community News. September 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ↑ "Charles "Tuna" Chapman". International Swimming Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 23 November 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ↑ Silverman, Joel (27 August 1988). "BLACK MARATHONER PLANS TO MAKE HISTORY IN MANHATTAN RACE". The Washington Post. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ↑ Ortiz, Jorge L. (5 September 1997). "The Tuna returning to The Rock". SF Gate.
- ↑ Herbeck, Dan (10 September 1993). ""Charlie the Tuna" Draws Prison Term". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
External links
Media related to Butterfly (swimming style) at Wikimedia Commons