It appeared as if I had invited the audience into the water with me, and it conveyed the sensation that being in there was absolutely delicious

I took my daily swim at the Beverly Hills Hotel pool despite the presence of onlookers

Three events. Three gold medals. I was news, big news, in the sports world.

Howard Hughes himself was a regular at the restaurant, and in a way it became his headquarters, too. Howard had recently relocated to Las Vegas, so when he wanted to do business in Los Angeles, he went into the back of our restaurant to use the telephone.

Somehow I kept my head above water. I relied on the discipline, character, and strength that I had started to develop as that little girl in her first swimming pool.

I was 15, and the years of hard swimming had packed muscle on my frame and made me very strong. Not as strong as a football player, but strong enough to inflict heavy damage.

I gave my eardrums to MGM. And it's true: I really did.