2 White Plains Kids: Claire and Larry, Olympic Medalists

Photo byBo ZhangonUnsplash

Claire Weinstein, at 17, is the youngest member of the women's Olympic Swimming team in Paris. The White Plains native, who attended both Highlands Middle School and White Plains High, was a member of the women's 4 x 200 freestyle relay. Weinstein swam the first leg on the team that captured the silver medal in the event--second only to the heavily favored Australians.

Claire is not the first Olympian to come out of the White Plains School system. In the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, Larry James was a two-time medal winner. He won a silver medal in the 400 meters, finishing second only to the great Lee Evans. Larry then struck gold as a member of the US 4 x 400 relay team that took the top spot on the podium. James ran the 3rd leg, with teammates Vince Mathews running 1st, Ron Freeman 2nd, and Lee Evans as the anchor. The team obliterated the field by a Secretariat-like margin, setting a world record at 2:56.16, which stood for 14 years.

Larry James who also attended White Plains High School passed away in 2008. Congratulations Claire, thanks for the memory Larry.

2024 Womens 4 x 200 relay (Video)

1968 mens 4 x 400 (Video)

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