The daughter of a master builder, Southport’s Irene Hatch was the first reserve for the Great Britain 4 x 100 metres freestyle relay team at the 1924 Paris Olympics but was a non-starter. Because of the strength of Merseyside swimming at that time, with the likes of Florence Barker, Hilda James and Grace McKenzie, Hatch’s successes in Merseyside, Lancashire and Northern Counties Championships were normally restricted to second or third placed podium finishes. Her only ASA podium was third in the 220 yards freestyle in 1922 behind the two Garston swimmers, James and McKenzie. Hatch’s younger sister Evelyn was also a fine swimmer, and the siblings gave exhibitions together in the late-1920s. After her competitive days, Irene became a swimming instructor.
Great Britain