Jeannette Campbell

Who was Jeannette Campbell?

Jeannette Morven Campbell was a naturalized Argentine swimmer who won a silver medal in the 1936 Summer Olympics. She was the first Argentine female to participate at the Olympics games.

She was born in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France, when her parents were traveling through Europe. Her sister, Dorothy, was the Argentina's 100 m freestyle champion. She followed her sister to become the Argentine record holder in 100 m in 1932, with a 1:18:6 time. In 1935, she became the South American record holder in the 100 m and in the 400 m. During the 1936 Olympics, she broke the 100 m Olympic record in the semifinals with a 1:06:6 time. She finished second to Hendrika Mastenbroek in the final 100 meters swim, with a 1:06:4 time.

Jeanette died in Buenos Aires in 2003. She was the wife of Roberto Peper and the mother of two girls, Inés and Susana, and a boy, Roberto Jr.