Margot: A Strong Swimmer 🏊🏼♀️
Margot Frank’s life in Amsterdam included the simple, active joys of a pre-war childhood, one of which was swimming. On August 22, 1935, she successfully passed a demanding swimming test, demonstrating her skill by completing 60 meters breaststroke and 40 meters backstroke. It is believed this took place at the Amstelparkbad (now known as De Mirandabad).
Her friend from the Girls’ High School, Greet Bezema, recalled their swimming excursions, noting, “We went swimming in Diemen once.” Greet also remembered a specific, charming detail of Margot’s youthful style, saying Margot “had a very nice swimming costume, a sunbathing suit.”
This recollection paints a picture of a capable, athletic, and stylish girl enjoying the freedoms of summer with her friends. The memory of Margot excelling in her swimming test and enjoying days at the pool serves as a poignant reminder of the normal, active life that was tragically cut short by the war.