Hveger was one of the world's greatest swimming champions but never Olympic champion. She did take part in the Berlin Olympics in 1936 but was too young and only won a single silver medal for the individual 400 m freestyle. She then went on to dominate world swimming completely as no one had done before her. But these were the black years (1937-1944) and no Olympic games were held. During these 7 years she established 43 world records and would probably have been the greatest Olympic champion swimmer ever.