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Otto Scheff
Austrian swimmer (1889–1956) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Otto Scheff, born Otto Sochaczewsky (December 12, 1889 – October 26, 1956) was an Austrian freestyle swimmer, water polo player, lawyer, politician, and sports official who competed in the 1906 Intercalated Games, in the 1908 Summer Olympics, and in the 1912 Summer Olympics.[1][2]
Scheff was born in Berlin on September 12, 1889 into the family of Jewish writer Heinrich Sochaczewsky, who published under the pseudonym Victor von Falk. Scheff grew up in Wien (Vienna), Austria, soon distinguishing himself globally as the top middle-distance freestyler in the era of the trudgeon stroke era, prior to the broad introduction of the Australian crawl. He first gained international recognition in 1905 at the international tournament held in Paris, then known as the World Championships, where he placed third in the 500-m freestyle behind British swimmers David Billington and Eric Forsyth.[3]
He was attending school in 1906 when the Austrian Olympic Committee intervened in his schooling to allow him three weeks leave to compete in the 1906 Intercalated Games in Athens.[2]
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At the 1906 Intercalated Games in Athens, he competed in three events, beginning with the 1 mile freestyle race, a single heat where Scheff won the bronze medal behind gold medalist Henry Taylor and silver medalist John Arthur Jarvis both part of the British team.[4]
Scheff subsequently won the gold medal by a two second margin in the 400 metre freestyle.[5] He swam as part of the 4×250 metre freestyle relay team, which did not complete the event.[6]
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Two years later he was in London for the 1908 Summer Olympics, and again entered three events.[3]
In the 400 metre freestyle he won another bronze medal with a time of 5:46.0 after once again placing behind British swimmer Henry Taylor who took gold with a 5:36.8.[7] He reached the semi-finals of the 1500 metre freestyle swimming a 24:25.4 in the second semi-final heat, but didn't complete the final, where British swimmer Henry Taylor, with a time of 22:48.4 again took the gold medal.[8] He qualified for the semi-finals of the 100 metre freestyle, by swimming a 1:11.4 in his preliminary heat, but did not swim in the semi-finals..[9]
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At the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm he participated in the water polo tournament as part of the Austrian team which finished in fourth place.[10] He was scheduled to swim the 100 and 400-meter freestyle, but did not swim in his heat.[3]
Scheff attended the University of Vienna, graduating in 1913 with a law degree, and enjoyed a successful career practicing law as a Viennese attorney.[3]
From 1945 to 1953 he served in the National Council of Austria as a member of the Austrian People's Party.[2], and served as the vice-president of the Austrian Olympic Committee.[2]
He died at Maria Enzersdorf in 1956.[11]
His daughter Gertraud Scheff was already qualified for the 1940 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, when the games were cancelled.[2]
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Scheff was inducted to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1988.[3]
In his honor, Mödling named a street "Dr. Otto Scheff-Weg".[10]
See also
References
External links
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