Marilyn Ramenofsky
Encyclopedia
Marilyn Ramenofsky (born August 20, 1946, in Phoenix, Arizona
) was an American
freestyle swimmer. She is currently a researcher at the University of California at Davis, studying the physiology and behavior of bird migration
. She has previously done research at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Swimming Teams. International Swimming Hall of Fame
national director Buck Dawson wrote: "[Ramenofsky] was the first female to swim a perfect freestyle stroke."
three times in 1964, including the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, reducing the record to 4:39.5.
at the 1964 Summer Olympics
, in the 400-meter freestyle, breaking the Olympic record with a time of 4:47.7.
she won a gold medal
in the 400-meter freestyle relay and a bronze in the 400-meter freestyle. At the 1965 Maccabiah Games
she won gold medals in both the 200-meter and 400-meter freestyles.
in 1988.
. Much of her research has focused on how glucocorticoids may orchestrate the suite of life history changes associated with bird migration
. She now works at UC Davis studying the migration of birds, and changes in their muscle physiology during stages of migration.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
) was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
freestyle swimmer. She is currently a researcher at the University of California at Davis, studying the physiology and behavior of bird migration
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
. She has previously done research at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Swimming career
Ramenofsky was named to the 1962, 1963, and 1964 All-America Women’s Amateur Athletic UnionAmateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
Swimming Teams. International Swimming Hall of Fame
International Swimming Hall of Fame
The International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame, located at One Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of swimming in the United States and around...
national director Buck Dawson wrote: "[Ramenofsky] was the first female to swim a perfect freestyle stroke."
World records
Ramenofsky established the world record for the 400-meter freestyleFreestyle swimming
Freestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The front crawl stroke is almost universally used during a freestyle race, as this style is generally the fastest...
three times in 1964, including the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, reducing the record to 4:39.5.
American record
She also established the U.S. record in the 220-yard freestyle in 1964, at 2:17.3.Olympics
She won a silver medalSilver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
at the 1964 Summer Olympics
1964 Summer Olympics
The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
, in the 400-meter freestyle, breaking the Olympic record with a time of 4:47.7.
Maccabiah Games
At the 1961 Maccabiah Games1961 Maccabiah Games
The 1961 6th Maccabiah Games attracted 1,000 athletes from 27 countries.First-time countries included Guatemala and Congo-Kinshasa.The new Kfar Ha’Maccabiah Village served as home to the competing athletes....
she won a gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
in the 400-meter freestyle relay and a bronze in the 400-meter freestyle. At the 1965 Maccabiah Games
1965 Maccabiah Games
Twenty-five nations send 1,200 athletes to compete in 21 sports at the 7th Maccabiah Games in 1965.First-time Maccabiah Games flags belonged to Iran, Jamaica, Peru, and Venezuela....
she won gold medals in both the 200-meter and 400-meter freestyles.
International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
Ramenofsky, who is Jewish, was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of FameInternational Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame was opened July 7, 1981, in Netanya, Israel. It honors Jewish athletes and their accomplishments from anywhere around the world....
in 1988.
Bird migration
Ramenofsky has published numerous peer reviewed articles on the physiology and behavior of migratory birds, most notably the White-crowned SparrowWhite-crowned Sparrow
The White-crowned Sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow native to North America.- Description :Adults are long and have black and white stripes on their head, a grey face, brown streaked upper parts and a long tail. The wings are brown with bars and the underparts are grey. Their bill is pink or yellow...
. Much of her research has focused on how glucocorticoids may orchestrate the suite of life history changes associated with bird migration
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
. She now works at UC Davis studying the migration of birds, and changes in their muscle physiology during stages of migration.