Australian swimming rocked by death of legendary John Konrads
The Australian sporting community is mourning the tragic death of swimming legend John Konrads at 78.
Widely regarded as one of Australia's greatest swimmers during a golden age for the sport, Konrads died on Sunday.
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Konrads dominated world swimming as a teenager in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
He won gold in the 1500m freestyle at the 1960 Rome Olympics among a haul of three medals at the Games.
Across a decorated career, Konrads set 26 individual freestyle world records between the 200m and 1500m events before he turned 15.
He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985.
Swimming word mourns death of John Konrads
The SAHOF announced his death on Monday.
"The Sport Australia Hall of Fame is mourning the passing of esteemed Member John Konrads," they tweeted.
Hall of Fame Chairman John Bertrand paid tribute to the late legend.
"He was a proud Sport Australia Hall of Fame Member with an extravagant sense of humour who will leave a lasting legacy around the world," Bertrand said.
"Our condolences are with his sister Ilsa, the Konrads family and the many lives John touched within the swimming and broader communities.”
The Sport Australia Hall of Fame is mourning the passing of esteemed Member John Konrads (Swimming) who passed away at the age of 78 on Sunday, April 25, 2021.
Read more: https://t.co/xPAueu88H1 pic.twitter.com/UQ6HJiBWbU— Sport Australia Hall of Fame (@sportaushof) April 26, 2021
Born in Riga, Latvia, Konrads emigrated with his parents Janis and Elza, grandmother, and sisters Eve and Ilsa in August 1944, initially to Germany.
Living in Germany until 1949, their application to immigrate to the United States was refused on account of the large size of the family.
They were relocated to a camp at Uranquinty, 15km south of Wagga Wagga in the Riverina region of NSW.
Konrads suffered polio as a child and his father thought swimming would be of therapeutic benefit.
He first caught the attention of famed Australian swim mentor Don Talbot, who was working as an assistant coach while teaching at a Sydney primary school Konrads and his sister Ilsa attended.
The Konrad siblings were at their record-breaking best in 1958, the year John won three gold medals at the Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff.
In 1959, John won every Australian freestyle title.
After retirement, Konrads entered the world of swim coaching before becoming the Australasian director of cosmetics giant L'Oreal.
He assisted with the bid for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, was a company director operating the Cook and Phillip Park Aquatic & Fitness Centre, as well as consulting in human resources.
The AOC mourns the passing of @SwimmingAUS Olympic champion John Konrads.
John was a dual Olympian (Rome 1960 & Tokyo 1964), winning 1500m freestyle 🥇 in 1960, as wells as 🥉 in the 400m freestyle & 4x200m freestyle relay.
He also held 26 World Records. A true champion 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/nNtb6ntzhg— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) April 26, 2021
Sad to hear. One of the true greats. Australian swimming legend John Konrads dies at age 78, once set six world records in eight days as a teenager https://t.co/zIKFpXkEDO
— Max Uechtritz (@plesbilongmi) April 26, 2021
vale John Konrads 1942-2021 https://t.co/VgAIXRFdPG
— The Scoreline Diminishes (@the_scoreline) April 26, 2021
R.I.P., John Konrads. Bloody legend. Every world freestyle record from 200m-1500m at age 15. pic.twitter.com/h8KYR7QWhg
— Greg Smith 🇦🇺🏴🇮🇪🏴🇩🇪 (@GregSmithPT) April 26, 2021
John #Konrads - During his peak in the 1950s and 60s he dominated the Australian swimming scene and achieved sensational feats in the distance freestyle events. Remarkable life story.https://t.co/lAJk4SIYu9 pic.twitter.com/BW4VKIN7rQ
— Robert Smith (@OnyaDon) April 26, 2021
Australian swimming rocked by death of legendary John Konrads https://t.co/88dFVUkpcZ Very sad news and l send my condolences to Ilsa & family. He was a Champion in the pool & in life. Rest in peace John.
— margaret storck (@margaretstorck) April 26, 2021
with AAP
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