Council is saddened to hear of the passing of Australian swimming legend John Devitt AM.

The Olympic champion was an honorary life member of Manly Swimming Club and an inspiration to so many in our community.

Over his 13-year swimming career, John won two gold, a silver and a bronze medal in Olympic competition, three gold medals at the 1958 Cardiff British Empire and Commonwealth Games, broke 14 world records and won 13 Australian championships.

John captained the Australian Olympic team at Melbourne in 1956 and Rome in 1960. He later served as the executive of the Australian Olympic Committee from 1985 to 2000, including as Vice-President for 10 years. He was Deputy Chef de Mission to the Australian Olympic team, including Sydney 2000, and Chef de Mission for the Commonwealth Games team in Melbourne 2006.

John was elected to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1979. He became a Member of the Order of Australia in 1989 in recognition of his service to swimming and to sports administration, and in 2000 he received the Australian Sports Medal.

He also co-wrote a book about the life of 1912 gold medallist Cecil Healy. In 2018, an indoor pool at Manly Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Aquatic Centre was named the John Devitt-Cecil Healy Indoor Pool in honour of these two champions and their tremendous achievements representing Australia.

Council offers its condolences to John’s family at friends at this very difficult time. Vale John Devitt, swimming legend.