It was Betty Mullen Brey Day in Weissport on Saturday.

A bronze statue of Brey was unveiled in the town where the Olympic swimmer was born and raised.More than 300 people attended the program in the borough park, including her son, Michael Brey, head coach of Notre Dame University's basketball team, and numerous other family members.Betty Brey competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. She swam for the silver medal-winning U.S. team in the preliminary heats of the women's 4x100 member freestyle relay.She was not eligible to receive a medal under the 1956 Olympic swimming rules.She also competed at the 1951 and 1955 Pan American Games and won two gold and two silver medals.She died on March 21, 2015, in Florida at the age of 83.Brey grew up about a half block from where the memorial is located. The statue was situated in the west end of the park.On the bottom of the statue is a slate titled "Road to the Olympics" and outlines highlights in her illustrious swimming career.On each side of the statue are framed posters detailing her story.The toenails on the statue are painted pink. That's because a trademark she had was painting her toes a reddish pink before every swimming event, Tom said.Although Mike never lived in Weissport, he recalled that he would visit the community with his mother.He said it's been 50 years since he last visited the borough."As youngsters, we spent a lot of time here," he said. "It was always a wholesome place. I see it hasn't changed."Upon his arrival in town on Saturday, he said the first thing he did was have lunch at the Central Lunch in Weissport, a restaurant that he patronized on those previous visits.A 'cruel competitor'Mike Brey described his mother as a cruel competitor. "When it came to competing, she was ruthless. You can't do what she did without having great intensity."Shane said he's the youngest of three siblings. He told how his mother was always proud of her accomplishments. She had a map and on it with pins from the locations where she competed.In the basement there was a collage of not just her achievements, but also those of family members.Shane brought memorabilia, including a yellow blazer Betty wore in Australia, a red blazer she wore at the Pan American games in Mexico, and a swimsuit which can be displayed in Carbon County.Dr. Keith "Jake" Boyer, who chaired the committee honoring Betty, looked at the clear sky and said regarding the warm temperatures, "It's a beautiful day for swimming."He said of the honoree, "I see this statue as a role model for everyone passing by. This is a story that has to be told," he said. "This is history, ladies and gentlemen, and you are part of this."State Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, read a resolution from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He said his parents grew up in Weissport."There are a lot of great opportunities here," he said.Danny McGinley, president of the Carbon County Hall of Fame, presented Mike Brey with a special necklace depicting a swimmer.Weissport Borough Council President Gene Kershner knew Brey personally, and was choked up when he spoke."Betty was Weissport's own," he said. "She always helped others."Carbon County Commissioners' Chairman Wayne Nothstein said Betty Brey is just one example of many great accomplishments made from people in Carbon County communities."This shows what you can do if you put your mind to it," Nothstein said.Tom Mullen, instrumental in designing the statue, said, "Betty was the quintessential competitor, mother, wife and sister."He said she was a cheerleader and a majorette at Lehighton High School.Audience members were welcomed by current Lehighton Area High School cheerleaders when they entered the park.Mike Brey said after the event, "I'm blown away by the crowd that we had today. It was really neat because it was a family reunion for the Brey and Mullen family. We haven't seen each other for a while, so what a great way to celebrate it with my mom's statue and dedication.""I ran into so many of her old friends which I felt like I knew because she used to talk about these people," he said. "They come up and introduce themselves and I remember the stories."It's classy," he said. "It's really awesome. I'm sure she and my dad are looking down and smiling."