Iris Critchell (99): "We were invited to a big party at Goebbels"

When Iris Critchell starts chatting, the flow of her speech can hardly be stopped.

The gaunt lady with the short, curly, snow-white hair has a lot to tell.

She has a phenomenal memory for her age.

She describes events from her eventful life in such detail that one could assume that they only happened yesterday.

It started 84 years ago at the Olympic Games.

In 1936 in Berlin she entered the race as a breaststroke swimmer for the USA under her maiden name Cummings.

She turned to aviation during her sports career.

She obtained her pilot's license, flew American fighter jets during World War II, and qualified as an instructor for student pilots and astronauts.

Anyone who experiences the lively Californian may not believe it - but on Monday she will be 100 years old.

Question:

Mrs. Critchell, how did you ...

Iris Critchell

: ... please excuse me for

me.

But before you question me, I would like to ask you whether there is another athlete living besides me who took part in the 1936 Olympic Games?

Question:

yes.

Critchell:

Oh, that's interesting.

Who is this?