04/02/1937 – 17/08/2023

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame is mourning esteemed Member John Devitt AM after he passed away at 86 years of age.

John was a hero of Australian sport, both in and out of the pool.

A remarkable freestyle swimmer, John had an outstanding swimming career that spanned 13 years. He won gold medals for our country at the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games, broke 14 World Records, won five Australian Championships and three Commonwealth Games gold medals.

John went on to become a top sports administrator, managing Speedo’s international operations and serving as an executive on the Australian Olympic Committee. He was involved in Sydney’s winning bid for the 2000 Olympic Games and was Chef de Mission for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Sport Australia Hall of Fame Chair John Bertrand AO said:

“John was a great sportsman, a great Australian, and a great friend to many in the swimming and wider sporting communities. He always put the athletes first.

On behalf of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame I send my condolences to John’s wife Wendy, his family and friends and the many lives he touched throughout his decorated life”

John Devitt AM was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1986.

Read John’s full biography here.