Anita Lallande
Encyclopedia
Anita Lallande is a former member of the Puerto Rican Olympic swimming team who holds the record for the most medals won at the Central American and Caribbean Games.
, to Joseph Gus and Janice Lallande. Her father was Chairman of the Board of J. Gus Lallande Inc., a food brokerage and distribution business in Puerto Rico. When she was 8 years old, she began her career as a swimmer at the Caparra Country Club.
(or CACs) are a multi-sport regional championship event, held quadrennially (every 4 years), typically in the even-numbered year between consecutive Summer Olympics. The Games are for countries in Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda, and the South American countries of Surinam, Guyana, Colombia and Venezuela.
In 1962, at the age of 13, Lallande made her Olympic debut representing Puerto Rico at the Central American and Caribbean Games held in Kingston, Jamaica
and won two Silver and three Bronze medals in swimming. In 1963, she competed in the Pan-American Games held in São Paulo
, Brazil
and in 1964 in the Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan.
In 1966, the swimming competitions of the Central American and Caribbean Games were held at the Escambrón Olympic swimming pool in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She arrived first in eight individual events and participated in two winning relays. She won a Bronze medal in the Medley relay events (200 m and 400 m) in which Margaret Harding, also Puerto Rican, won the gold. Lallande dominated the tests of velocity in the 100 and 200 m’s free style, in two of the 400 and 800 m’s free style, the 100 and 200 m's butterfly and the 100 and 200 meters backstroke. Lallande won a total of 10 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze medal for a total of twelve medals, making her the person with the most medals won that year.
From 1962 to 1966, Lallande won a total of a total of 17 medals, thus holding the record for most medals won in swimming competitions at the Central American and Caribbean Games.
After the games, Lallande announced her retirement from all sports activities and moved to New York City
and later to Annapolis, Md., where she currently resides.
Early years
Lallande (birth name: Ann Lallande) was born in San Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, to Joseph Gus and Janice Lallande. Her father was Chairman of the Board of J. Gus Lallande Inc., a food brokerage and distribution business in Puerto Rico. When she was 8 years old, she began her career as a swimmer at the Caparra Country Club.
Central American and Caribbean Games
The Central American and Caribbean GamesCentral American and Caribbean Games
The Central American and Caribbean Games are a multi-sport regional championships event, held quadrennial , typically in the middle year between Summer Olympics...
(or CACs) are a multi-sport regional championship event, held quadrennially (every 4 years), typically in the even-numbered year between consecutive Summer Olympics. The Games are for countries in Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda, and the South American countries of Surinam, Guyana, Colombia and Venezuela.
In 1962, at the age of 13, Lallande made her Olympic debut representing Puerto Rico at the Central American and Caribbean Games held in Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
and won two Silver and three Bronze medals in swimming. In 1963, she competed in the Pan-American Games held in São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and in 1964 in the Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan.
In 1966, the swimming competitions of the Central American and Caribbean Games were held at the Escambrón Olympic swimming pool in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She arrived first in eight individual events and participated in two winning relays. She won a Bronze medal in the Medley relay events (200 m and 400 m) in which Margaret Harding, also Puerto Rican, won the gold. Lallande dominated the tests of velocity in the 100 and 200 m’s free style, in two of the 400 and 800 m’s free style, the 100 and 200 m's butterfly and the 100 and 200 meters backstroke. Lallande won a total of 10 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze medal for a total of twelve medals, making her the person with the most medals won that year.
From 1962 to 1966, Lallande won a total of a total of 17 medals, thus holding the record for most medals won in swimming competitions at the Central American and Caribbean Games.
After the games, Lallande announced her retirement from all sports activities and moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and later to Annapolis, Md., where she currently resides.