Thelma R. Payne (later Sanborn, July 18, 1896 – September 7, 1988) was an American diver who won the bronze medal in the 3 meter springboard at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

[3] In 1908, the city council of Coos Bay, Oregon passed an ordinance that established a bounty on rat carcasses.

She eventually met-up with a former member of the Multnomah Athletic Club who was living in New York and stayed in their home during the qualifying period.

The second and third-class cabins were allotted to the girl members of the American team while the men athletes were quartered in the hold of the army transport, USS Princess Matoika".

[13] Payne had to take a leave of absence from her work as the chief telephone switchboard operator for the City of Portland to compete in the 1920 Olympics.

[14] According to a 1922 profile of Payne by The Oregonian, she was not a naturally skilled diver and required significant training to reach the Olympic level.

She was introduced to swimming at the YWCA by instructor Millie Schloth and later witnessed a diving performance by Constance Meyer, which sparked her interest in the sport.

[3] Payne trained swimmer Bowen Stassforth, who won a silver medal at the 1952 Summer Olympics, to overcome his fear of water.

She also trained 1951 Pan American Games multi-gold medalist Sharon Geary, who went to the 1952 Summer Olympics as an alternate competitor for the United States.