Career
Later, they set a world record in this event. Leonard also participated in the 1936 Summer Olympics in the 100 m freestyle, 200 m breaststroke and 4 × 200 m freestyle events, but did not reach the finals. In 1967, the Spence brothers were inducted to the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
His father was Scottish and worked as a big game hunter and guide, while his mother was Indian.
The Spences would swim in the Demerara River, and six family members bore scars from piranha bites. Leonard, Wallace and Walter became competitive swimmers.
Their youngest brother, Harold, was also a promising swimmer, but was killed in action in World World War World War II Walter, the eldest brother, soon realized that he can not grow as a swimmer in Guiana, and immigrated to the United States in 1923. Wallace and the youngest brother Leonard followed him in 1926 and 1928, respectively.
In 1935, together with Peter Fick, they became Amateur Athletic Union champions in the 4 × 100 m medley relay.
In their team, Leonard specialized in breaststroke, and at some point held nearly all Amateur Athletic Union titles and records from 100 yards to one mile. During 1931–1932, he set two world records in the 200 m breaststroke. However, he also competed in the crawl at the Amateur Athletic Union and 1936 Olympics.
His career was hampered by tuberculosis.
He contracted it around 1931, but realized that only six years later. He died in Mount Pleasant, New York, in 1947.
