Trudy Ederle Foundation

The Trudy Ederle Foundation is a non-profit organization inspired by the life and legacy of Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle, one of the most significant figures in sporting history. On 6 August 1926, she became the first woman to swim across the English Channel, completing the crossing faster than any man before her. Her courage, perseverance and determination to overcome personal and societal barriers form the guiding principles of the Foundation.

The Foundation was established by Rainer Frase from an initiative focused on health and prevention. During its development, Trudy Ederle’s story emerged as a powerful expression of the Foundation’s wider purpose. Her life represents not only extraordinary sporting achievement, but also resilience and social responsibility beyond public success. As her hearing deteriorated, she devoted herself to teaching deaf children and found a meaningful new role after her competitive career had ended.

Building on this legacy, the Trudy Ederle Foundation promotes physical and mental health, prevention, resilience, self-efficacy, inclusion and social participation through sport and physical activity. Its mission extends beyond traditional sports funding. The Foundation aims to strengthen people at different stages of life, particularly children, young people and former competitive athletes, and to help them develop new perspectives during periods of transition or personal challenge.

A particular focus is supporting athletes as they move beyond active competition and build meaningful and sustainable second careers. The Foundation seeks to ensure that people who were once celebrated for their achievements are not forgotten when the applause ends, but continue to be seen, heard and valued for their experience, potential and contribution to society.

Current activities include establishing the Foundation’s professional and international structures, developing partnerships with organizations from sport, health, education, science and philanthropy, and designing accessible movement, prevention and development programs. In 2026, the Foundation is also commemorating the centenary of Trudy Ederle’s historic English Channel crossing through international activities that bring together her family, sporting institutions, communities and future partners.

Future activities will include the development and support of programs that improve physical and mental well-being through movement, holistic health promotion and community engagement. The Foundation plans to create accessible opportunities for participation, strengthen awareness of the importance of prevention and resilience, and support athletes in transferring their skills and experience into new professional and social roles.

The long-term goal is to build an independent, professionally managed, sustainable and structurally robust institution whose work can be developed and continued across generations. Through its programs and partnerships, the Trudy Ederle Foundation aims to preserve Trudy’s legacy while translating its values into measurable and lasting social impact.