Elizabeth Becker Pinkston wins second diving Olympic gold

Philadelphia-born Elizabeth Becker Pinkston (1903-1988) was one of only two women in Olympic history to win gold medals in both the springboard and platform diving.

She began swimming as a child to strengthen her body, following a doctor's advice after suffering from a severe case of diphtheria.

Becker focused on diving and was the U.S. indoor 3-meter champion in 1922 and 1923, and the 1-meter champion in 1924. She won a gold medal in the springboard diving event at the 1924 Olympics and took a silver in the platform.

At the Olympics, she met bronze medal-winner Clarence Pinkston. They were married a year later and Pinkston retired from competition to become his wife's coach.

Elizabeth Becker Pinkston won the national indoor 3-meter title in 1926 and a second Olympic gold medal, in the platform event, on August 11, 1928. She was later elected to the International Swimming Hall of Fame.