At age 13, Donna de Varona, representing the Santa Clara Swim Club, was the youngest member of the 1960 Olympic women’s swim team. She set a world record there in the 400-meter individual medley and won two gold medals at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. That same year, she was named “Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year” by AP and UPI. She also broke 18 world records during her career.

Inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.

Plaque location: Santa Clara International Swim Center