[2] At an early age, Lindstrom began serious training with the Women's Swimming Association (WSA) in Brooklyn, New York, coached by Louis Handley and founded by Charlotte Epstein.

[3][4][5] In July 1928, at the Women's National Championships in Rockaway Beach, New York, Lindstrom swam the 220-yard backstroke in 3:03.4, breaking the year-old record of her WSA teammate Adelaide Lambert by over seven seconds.

[6] As a 16-year-old, Lindstrom tied for fifth with American Eleanor Holm in the early August event final of the women's 100-meter backstroke at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics with a time of 1:24.4.

Holland's Zus Braun took the gold medal that year, and Great Britain's Ellen King and Joyce Cooper took the silver and bronze respectively.

She swam for the NYU's outstanding women's swim program, whose co-ed team had a record of 57-8 in dual meet competition from 1925-1938.

[11] Swimming in later life, Lindstrom placed second to Lenore Kight in the National Senior Women's 100-yard backstroke championship in April, 1933.

[12] Lindstrom was married to Eugene John Olson on June 5, 1936 at Bay Ridge Episcopal Church in the greater New York City area.